A federal United States District judge in Maryland, Adam Abelson, on Friday blocked the Trump administration from terminating federal grants and contracts related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, ruling that the executive orders likely violate constitutional rights, including free speech.
Judge Abelson, nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, issued the ruling in response to legal challenges against two executive orders signed by President Donald Trump.
The first order, issued shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January, directed federal officials to terminate all programs and activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the federal government. A follow-up order required federal contractors to certify that they do not promote DEI initiatives.
Judge Abelson sided with the plaintiffs, who argued that the executive orders discourage businesses, organizations, and public entities from openly supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
“The harm arises from the issuance of it as a public, vague, threatening executive order,” Abelson said during the hearing.
In his ruling, Abelson emphasized the potential for arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement of the orders, which could impact billions of dollars in government funding.
“Plaintiffs have amply established a likelihood that they will succeed in proving that the Termination Provision invites arbitrary and discriminatory enforcement over billions of dollars in government funding,” he stated.
Abelson also highlighted the broad and potentially harmful implications of the orders. “The possibilities are almost endless, and many are pernicious,” he said. To illustrate his point, he posed a hypothetical scenario: “If an elementary school receives Department of Education funding for technology access, and a teacher uses a computer to teach the history of Jim Crow laws, does that risk the grant being deemed ‘equity-related’ and the school being stripped of funding?”
While the ruling blocks enforcement of the executive orders, it does allow the attorney general to investigate and prepare a report on DEI practices as outlined in one of the orders. However, any actions to terminate funding or contracts based on DEI-related activities are prohibited under the judge’s decision.
The ruling represents a significant setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle DEI programs across the federal government and among federal contractors. It also underscores the ongoing legal and ideological battles over diversity and inclusion initiatives, which have become a flashpoint in the broader culture wars.
Judge Abelson’s decision reinforces the importance of safeguarding free-speech rights and preventing arbitrary enforcement of government policies. As the legal challenges continue, the ruling ensures that DEI programs remain protected for now, allowing organizations and institutions to continue their work in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion without fear of losing federal funding.
