Judge temporarily blocks key parts of Trump's executive orders targeting DEI

Source: Washington Post

February 21, 2025 at 7:27 p.m. EST


A federal judge in Maryland on Friday temporarily blocked key portions of President Donald Trump’s executive orders targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in the federal government and corporate America.

U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson granted a preliminary injunction, blocking portions of Trump’s orders to cancel federal contracts concerning DEI and make government contractors certify that they do not engage in DEI practices that violate anti-discrimination laws. The order does not block the Justice Department and certain agency heads from drawing up lists of companies and universities to investigate, but blocks such enforcement pursuant to the order.

In the first days of his second term, Trump issued two executive orders meant to eviscerate DEI in the federal government and neutralize it in the private sector and higher education. The orders have already led to widespread purges of federal workers, while corporations and universities grapple with how to interpret the orders that target “equity-related” government contracts and “illegal DEI.”

Those suing to block the orders argue that such terms are poorly defined and violate the constitutional right to due process. They also allege that Trump exceeded his authority by ordering agencies to terminate all “equity-related” government grants and contracts because they had been funded by Congress.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2025/02/21/trump-dei-executive-order-blocked/