19 states take legal action against Trump administration over D.E.I. policies

A coalition of 19 states has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its controversial mandate concerning diversity programs in public schools. This legal action, initiated by attorneys general from states such as California, New York, and Illinois, targets an April 3 memo that claimed to enforce civil rights laws. The administration had threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that did not certify the termination of certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (D.E.I.) initiatives deemed illegal.

Rob Bonta, the Attorney General of California, emphatically stated at a press conference that the Trump administration's demand distorts federal civil rights laws, essentially pressuring states to abandon legal diversity programs. He asserted that California and its allied states will not yield, expressing concerns over the memo's lack of clarity and enforcement practicality. Notably, Bonta called those D.E.I. programs “entirely legal” under existing civil rights statutes.

The Trump administration justifies its stance by alleging that certain diversity efforts in schools contravene federal law, specifically arguing that practices aimed at racial inclusivity could lead to segregation. This assertion hinges on a recent Supreme Court ruling which concluded that considering race in college admissions is unconstitutional. However, the administration has not explicitly outlined which specific D.E.I. programs are considered unlawful.

The lawsuit surfaced concurrently with a federal court's directive requiring a halt in enforcement of the contested memo. This ruling was issued in response to separate legal challenges from educators and civil rights organizations like the N.A.A.C.P. Bonta accentuated that the lawsuit from the 19 states articulates distinct claims that highlight the states' interests to secure essential federal funding for education.

New York Attorney General Letitia James, a vocal opponent of former President Trump, echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the dire consequences that schools could face if federal funding is rescinded. Schools in Buffalo and Rochester, for example, rely on federal support for nearly 20 percent of their budgets. In her remarks, she declared her commitment to protecting civil rights laws and safeguarding the interests of students who depend on these funds.