A federal judge in Maryland has temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from implementing bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs at federal agencies and businesses that contract with the government. The judge ruled that the orders likely violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and have caused widespread chilling of protected speech. The decision comes in response to a lawsuit filed by the city of Baltimore and three groups against the Trump administration’s efforts to eradicate DEI initiatives, which critics argue are discriminatory.
The judge’s decision prohibits Trump and federal agencies from implementing the orders nationwide while the lawsuit is ongoing. It remains unclear how this ruling will affect actions already taken by the Trump administration, such as closing DEI offices at agencies and firing staff involved in diversity programs. Deputy White House Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has stated that DEI programs are illegal race-based discrimination prohibited by the Civil Rights Act.
Civil rights groups and organizations representing the plaintiffs have welcomed the judge’s decision, arguing that Trump’s orders infringe on free speech and expression. DEI programs became more widespread following protests in 2020 against police killings of unarmed Black people, prompting a conservative backlash and Trump issuing his orders last month. The city of Baltimore and the suing groups claim that Trump lacks the authority to issue these orders, which they argue improperly target constitutionally protected free speech. The Trump administration maintains that the orders are aimed at unlawful discrimination and do not discourage speech.
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