Judge Expands Ban on Trump’s Directives Limiting DEI Programs to All Federal Agencies

March 11, 2025 TruthUSA

A federal judge asserted that President Trump’s directive to halt funding for grants and contracts related to ‘equity’ likely contravenes the First and Fifth Amendments.

The ruling marks an extension of a prior decision by a federal judge that obstructs Trump’s executive orders aimed at diminishing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Now, the restriction applies to all federal agencies, departments, and commissions.

U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson from Maryland issued a clarified preliminary injunction on March 10, affirming that the February 21 order encompasses not just the federal entities specified in the lawsuit but also all executive branch agencies executing Trump’s directives concerning DEI-related federal funding and policies.

This ruling is part of an active lawsuit entitled National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump, where higher education organizations, civil rights groups, and the City of Baltimore contest the constitutionality of Trump’s executive actions. The plaintiffs contend that these orders infringe upon free speech, overstep the president’s authority, and create ambiguities for grant recipients and contractors who depend on federal financing.

“While the President may have his own viewpoints and seek to implement them as policy, he cannot usurp Congress’s authority over fiscal allocations. He cannot deny due process to countless Americans. Additionally, he cannot curtail or disrupt the free speech rights of those who oppose his views,” the plaintiffs highlighted in their initial complaint.

This lawsuit arose from Trump’s extensive initiative to dismantle the DEI strategies established under President Biden. Trump’s Executive Order 14151 mandates federal agencies to abolish all “environmental justice” and DEI-centric offices along with “equity-related” grants and contracts. Furthermore, Executive Order 14173 prohibits federal funding for organizations advocating DEI and instigates civil rights enforcement actions against DEI programs alleged to infringe anti-discrimination statutes.

In his inaugural address, Trump committed to “terminate the government policy of attempting to socially manipulate race and gender into every facet of public and private existence.”

“Together, we will build a merit-based society that is colorblind,” Trump declared.

Trump’s anti-DEI initiatives have led to multiple lawsuits.

Following the original complaint submitted on February 3 by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, Abelson granted a preliminary injunction on February 21, after determining that the executive orders likely breach the U.S. Constitution, particularly the First Amendment’s free speech protections.

In the refined ruling released on March 10, Abelson reiterated that Trump’s Termination Provision, which enforces the cessation of funding for “equity-related” grants and contracts, likely violates both the First and Fifth Amendments. He previously indicated that the ambiguous language of the executive orders creates uncertainty for organizations regarding what constitutes a prohibited DEI practice, complicating adherence.

The White House did not provide a comment regarding the clarified ruling by the time of publication.

In earlier court submissions, the Trump administration claimed it was solely targeting DEI initiatives that impose race- or gender-based preferences contrary to federal civil rights laws.

“The relief sought by the plaintiffs is neither in the interest of the public nor just,” stated attorneys for the Trump administration in their brief. “The public would face detriment if the Government is restrained from executing the President’s directive to enforce and implement anti-discrimination laws.”

With the broadened injunction now in effect, the Trump administration may seek to contest the ruling in appellate court.

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