Is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Obsolete?
By Madonna T. Lechner
Law Related Education for the Public,
May 2025
On January 31, 2025, President Trump signed Executive Order 14173, banning race- and sex-based preferences in DEI programs across federal agencies and other major sectors. The Order claims DEI violates civil rights laws and undermines merit. Opponents—including universities, nonprofits, and the City of Baltimore—sued, arguing it restricts free speech and harms historically underserved groups. A district court initially blocked parts of the Order, but a federal appeals court later allowed enforcement while the case proceeds. The lawsuit questions whether DEI programs violate anti-discrimination laws.
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