A major teachers union is taking the Trump administration to court, pushing back against a controversial policy that threatens to strip federal funding from schools teaching about systemic racism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
The lawsuit, filed in a Maryland federal court, argues that the directive—issued in a February 14 memo from the U.S. Department of Education—is unconstitutional and would have sweeping consequences for students and educators alike. The American Federation of Teachers and the American Sociological Association, the groups leading the challenge, are asking a judge to block the policy before it takes effect.
This legal battle is part of a broader clash over Trump’s efforts to dismantle DEI initiatives across government and private sectors. His administration argues that such programs undermine meritocracy and discriminate against white men, while civil rights organizations counter that DEI programs address long-standing disparities and create more inclusive opportunities.
Union leaders warn that banning discussions on systemic racism and equity will hurt students’ ability to think critically and understand the world beyond their immediate experiences. “This reckless and unconstitutional policy is an attack on students, educators, and knowledge itself,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.
The White House has yet to comment on the lawsuit, but this is just one of several legal challenges to Trump’s sweeping executive orders on DEI. In a separate case, a federal judge in Maryland recently issued a temporary injunction blocking parts of an executive order that aimed to end DEI initiatives in federal agencies and government contractors.
The outcome of these lawsuits could reshape how diversity and equity are addressed in American schools and workplaces—either reinforcing DEI as an educational cornerstone or curtailing its presence nationwide.
