Lifted Block on Trump’s Executive Orders Restricting DEI Programs: NPR

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Friday, an appeals court dismantled a previous injunction that blocked executive orders aimed at terminating federal support for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. This ruling marked a victory for the Trump administration amid several judicial challenges to President Donald Trump’s agenda.

The ruling from a three-judge panel permits the executive orders to take effect while a lawsuit contesting them progresses. The appellate judges overturned a broad national injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore.

Two judges from the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals expressed that Trump’s initiatives against DEI might someday raise First Amendment concerns, though they termed the judge’s comprehensive ban excessively broad.

“My vote should not be interpreted as agreement with the orders’ opposition to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion,” Judge Pamela Harris remarked. Notably, two judges on the panel were appointed by President Barack Obama, while the third was appointed by Trump.

Judge Abelson determined that the orders likely infringe upon free speech rights and are unconstitutionally vague due to their lack of a precise definition of DEI.

On his first day in office, Trump issued an order mandating federal agencies to cease all funding linked to “equity-related” grants or contracts. Additionally, he signed another order requiring federal contractors to affirm that they do not promote DEI.

In response, the city of Baltimore and various groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, claiming that these executive orders represent an unconstitutional overreach of presidential power.

The Justice Department contends that the president is solely targeting DEI programs that contravene federal civil rights laws, asserting the administration’s right to align federal spending with the president’s priorities.

Judge Abelson, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, sided with the plaintiffs, affirming that the executive orders hinder businesses, organizations, and public entities from openly backing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Efforts to promote diversity have long faced criticism from Republicans who assert that such measures jeopardize merit-based hiring and educational opportunities for white individuals. Advocates assert that these initiatives assist institutions in addressing the needs of diverse populations while rectifying the enduring effects of systemic racism.

The objective was to nurture equitable surroundings in workplaces and educational institutions, particularly for historically marginalized groups. Researchers indicate that DEI initiatives trace back to the 1960s but experienced significant growth in 2020 amid heightened demands for racial justice.

Among the plaintiffs are the Baltimore mayor and City Council, as well as the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors, and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which advocates for restaurant workers nationwide.