Judge Temporarily Blocks Trump’s Federal DEI Bans Citing Free Speech

Last week, a federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s executive orders to cut federal support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, ruling that they likely violate the First Amendment and other constitutional protections.

Judge Rejects Trump’s DEI Crackdown

AP News reports that US District Judge Adam Abelson in Maryland issued an injunction on February 21, preventing the administration from terminating or altering federal contracts tied to DEI. Baltimore officials and three organizations brought the lawsuit, arguing that Trump’s orders unlawfully suppress free speech and overstep presidential authority.

Abelson agreed in a written opinion, noting that the government is attempting to “punish” and “extinguish” viewpoints in favor of DEI. He pointed to the vague and broad language of the executive orders, which he said leaves organizations with “no reasonable way to know” if they are in compliance.

Read: NBCUniversal And Comcast Face Federal Investigation Over DEI Initiatives

DEI Remains Intact But Under Scrutiny

The Trump administration argued that the president has the right to align federal spending with his priorities. Still, Abelson stated: “As plaintiffs put it, ‘efforts to foster inclusion have been widespread and uncontroversially legal for decades. [Plaintiffs’] irreparable harms include widespread chilling of unquestionably protected speech.”

While the Justice Department is still allowed to investigate DEI practices, the ruling blocks enforcement of Trump’s ban while the case proceeds.