A federal judge, Landya B. McCafferty, limited the Trump administration's ability to withhold federal funds from schools with diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. The judge argued that the administration's definition of DEI was insufficiently detailed, that the policy threatened free speech, and that it overstepped the executive branch's authority.
The judge noted that the loss of federal funding would severely impact many educational institutions. The administration's demand for states to attest that their schools don't use DEI practices violating Trump's interpretation of civil rights law, or risk losing billions in Title I funds, prompted a lawsuit.
While Judge McCafferty didn't issue a nationwide pause, her ruling specifically protects schools employing members of the groups that brought the lawsuit: the National Education Association and the Center for Black Educator Development. Given the NEA's vast membership, this ruling likely affects many school districts.