Another Trump executive order faces judicial hurdle: Implementation suspended

The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois has temporarily blocked the Department of Labor's authority to demand reports on DEI programs from subcontractors and grant-receiving organizations. Judge Matthew Kennelly issued this ruling following a petition by the non-governmental organization Chicago Women in Trades.

The NGO that filed the lawsuit argued that it was asked for a DEI report under its contracts with the Department of Labor, but that it was impossible to comply with the request because Trump's executive order was vague. Emphasizing that the administration was only asking for information about "illegal" DEI programs without defining what that meant, Kennelly suspended the department's request.

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into whether DEI criteria are being used in student admissions at Stanford University and the Berkeley, Los Angeles, and Irvine campuses of the University of California. In a written statement, Attorney General Pam Bondi recalled that the Supreme Court's June 2023 ruling banned admission systems based on DEI at universities.

Bondi stated, ''Every student in the United States deserves to be judged by their hard work, intelligence, and character, not by the color of their skin.'' Arguing that the Trump administration wants to end illegal discrimination, Bondi added that the U.S. is committed to restoring a merit-based system.

DEI programs, created in line with diversity, equity, and inclusion goals, have recently been criticized over allegations of ideological imposition. Following Trump's inauguration, the process of removing DEI practices in federal agencies was initiated with an executive order he signed. Maryland District Court Judge Adam Abelson also issued a similar preliminary injunction in February.

News Source: 12punto