Trump administration gives schools 14 days to scrap DEI policies or lose federal funding
By isabelle // 2025-02-17
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  • Trump administration demands public schools drop DEI policies within 14 days or face federal funding cuts.
  • The ultimatum, citing Supreme Court precedent, declares DEI initiatives illegal under federal civil rights law.
  • Letter warns schools to cease any attempts to circumvent the ban on race-based policies.
  • Some universities are already removing DEI requirements, while others resist the order.
  • The move is seen as a significant step in rolling back DEI programs across educational institutions.
The Trump administration has issued a warning to public schools and universities across the nation: eliminate all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies within 14 days or risk losing federal funding. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights delivered the ultimatum in a letter sent to education departments in all 50 states, citing Supreme Court precedent and federal civil rights law. The administration’s decision marks a significant step in its ongoing effort to dismantle what it calls “overt and covert racial discrimination” in education.

DEI policies violate federal law

The letter, signed by Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor, emphasizes that DEI initiatives—often justified under the guise of promoting diversity, social justice, or equity—are illegal under the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard. That landmark decision struck down race-based affirmative action in college admissions, declaring it a violation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause. “The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent,” Trainor wrote. He added that the Department of Education will “vigorously enforce the law” to ensure all students are treated equally, regardless of race. The letter also warns schools to “cease all efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race” and to stop relying on third-party contractors or other indirect means to promote DEI initiatives. Institutions that fail to comply by the February 28 deadline could face the loss of federal funding, a critical source of financial support for many schools.

A long-awaited reckoning for DEI overreach

The Trump administration’s crackdown on DEI policies comes as a relief to many who have long criticized these programs as divisive and discriminatory. DEI initiatives often prioritize race over merit, fostering resentment and undermining the principles of fairness and equality. “Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon ‘systemic and structural racism,’” Trainor wrote in the letter. He noted that such policies have led to discriminatory practices against white and Asian students, creating a toxic environment that undermines the educational mission. The administration’s stance reflects a broader effort to roll back DEI programs across federal agencies and educational institutions. President Trump has signed multiple executive orders targeting DEI initiatives, including one that directs agencies to eliminate funding for “illegal and discriminatory treatment and indoctrination” in K-12 schools. The Department of Education’s directive has left schools scrambling to comply. Some institutions, like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, have already removed DEI-related graduation requirements, while others, such as the University of Akron, have canceled long-standing diversity events. However, not all schools are willing to abandon their DEI commitments. Some administrators and educators have vowed to resist the administration’s orders, arguing that DEI programs are essential for fostering inclusive environments. Despite the pushback, the Trump administration remains steadfast in its commitment to enforcing the law. Trainor’s letter underscores the administration’s determination to ensure that all students—regardless of race—are treated equally and free from discrimination.

A turning point for education

The Trump administration’s crackdown on DEI policies represents a turning point in the national debate over race, equity, and education. By holding schools accountable to federal civil rights law, the administration is indicating that the era of race-based preferences and divisive ideologies in education is coming to an end. For many Americans, this is a welcome change. The administration’s actions reaffirm the principle that all students deserve equal treatment under the law—a principle that has been eroded by years of DEI overreach.   Sources for this article include: FoxNews.com NYTimes.com BostonHerald
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