Breaking: Court Rebuffs Administration, Reaffirms Injunction Against President’s Anti-DEIA Policies

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Aleisha Flores (771)-233-8202 aflores@advancingjustice-aajc.org

Baltimore, MD – Today, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland delivered another major victory for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) by reaffirming that the court’s nationwide preliminary injunction applies to every agency in the executive branch. 

This ruling comes after the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, and the City of Baltimore, represented by Democracy Forward and Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC, asked the court to clarify the government’s obligations¹, following reports of the administration’s continued violations of the court’s order. The court has now confirmed: the Preliminary Injunction applies to and binds all federal executive branch agencies, departments, and commissions, and their heads, officers, agents, and subdivisions directed under the J20 and J21 Orders.

“This is a powerful win for equity, justice, and the rule of law. The Trump-Vance administration’s attempts to unlawfully dismantle diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives have been stopped in their tracks—again,” said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward. “The court’s decision sends a clear message, as our complaint states: in America, there is no king. The law is on the side of progress and we will use every legal tool to protect people and communities against unlawful attacks on equity and inclusion. We are proud to represent our clients and work with our partners in defending opportunity and justice.”

“We are gratified by the Court’s decision to ensure that the preliminary injunction stopping the arbitrary termination of federal grants and contracts has been extended to the entire federal government. Over the past six weeks, the President’s attacks on diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility have had life-altering effects on the livelihoods of thousands of federal contractors and grantees. We echo our partners in saying that this decision is a victory for the rule of law, free speech, and our constitutional order. No one should be penalized for creating inclusive environments for all workers, educators and communities. As this case moves forward, we stand firm in our commitment to defend the decades of progress that have given underrepresented communities the opportunity to thrive—and the right to speak openly about it.” said John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC

“This ruling reaffirms what we have long known—efforts to dismantle diversity, equity, and inclusion have no place in a just and democratic society. NADOHE remains steadfast in our commitment to advocate for policies and protections that uphold the fundamental values of equity and access for all.” said NADOHE President and CEO Paulette Granberry Russell, J.D.

Today’s order ensures that federal agencies can no longer ignore the law or continue their harmful enforcement of these unlawful policies. This decision protects the ability of universities, workplaces, cities, and communities to continue fostering diversity and inclusion without fear of retaliation or lost funding.

The case is NADOHE v. Trump, and the complaint is available here², the preliminary injunction order is available here³, and the clarified preliminary injunction order is available here⁴. 

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