Educator coalition sues to block Trump anti-diversity orders: ‘A grave attack’

A coalition of educators has filed a lawsuit to block the US Department of Education from enforcing new Donald Trump-imposed civil rights guidelines that target a range of practices related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Maryland, is brought by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT-Maryland and the American Sociological Association.

It is a response to a letter given to schools by the department on 14 February, citing the US supreme court’s 2023 decision in Students for Fair Admissions v Harvard, which it interprets as banning the practice of race-conscious admissions and policies in higher education.

But the guidance outlined in the letter goes “well beyond” the supreme court’s ruling, according to AFT’s lawsuit, “both in terms of the activities that the Letter prohibits and the settings to which it applies”.

“This vague and clearly unconstitutional memo is a grave attack on students, our profession and knowledge itself,” Randi Weingarten, the AFT president, said in a statement. “It would hamper efforts to extend access to education, and dash the promise of equal opportunity for all, a central tenant of the United States since its founding.”

Historical events that could be banned from being taught in schools should the new guidance be enforced include education on slavery, the Emancipation Proclamation, the forced relocation of Native American tribes, the laws of Jim Crow and the Civil Rights Act, according to AFT.

“Federal statute already prohibits any president from telling schools and colleges what to teach,” it added. “And students have the right to learn without the threat of culture wars waged by extremist politicians hanging over their heads.”

This is not the first lawsuit to result from institutions wanting to push back against anti-DEI initiatives. Earlier this month, education groups, including the American Association of University Professors, sued the Trump administration for executive orders that threaten to suspend funding to institutions because of their DEI policies.

Last week, a federal judge in Maryland temporarily blocked Trump from implementing bans on DEI programs at federal agencies and businesses that contract with the federal government.