Higher education groups and Baltimore officials argue the executive orders violate existing law and exceed presidential powers.
A federal district judge on Feb. 21 issued an order partly blocking President Donald Trump’s executive orders withdrawing support for so-called diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.
U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Maryland granted a preliminary injunction against the executive actions in a lawsuit known as National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump.
After determining that the executive actions likely violate the U.S. Constitution, including the free speech protections of the First Amendment, Abelson forbade the Trump administration from ending or modifying DEI-related federal contracts and grants.
The plaintiffs are higher education groups and the city of Baltimore. They filed a lawsuit against the administration earlier in the month, arguing the executive orders went beyond the president’s powers and chill free speech.
“What’s happening is an overcorrection and pulling back on DEI statements,” Aleshadye Getachew, a plaintiff’s attorney, said at a court hearing on Feb. 19.
The Trump administration has taken the position that the president is taking aim only at DEI programs that run afoul of federal civil rights laws and that he may make spending decisions based on his policy priorities.
“The government doesn’t have the obligation to subsidize plaintiffs’ exercise of speech,” said U.S. Department of Justice attorney Pardis Gheibi.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a developing story and will be updated.