A federal judge in Maryland has struck down two actions from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at U.S. schools and universities, ruling that the Education Department violated legal procedures.

The actions included memos issued in February and April 2024 that sought to prohibit race considerations in admissions, hiring, and other educational practices, claiming to interpret a recent Supreme Court decision as banning all race-based preferences.

The judge found that the Department of Education overstepped its authority, violating the Administrative Procedure Act, and that the directives caused fear among educators and represented a significant shift in how race and discrimination are regulated in education.

Although enforcement of the memos was previously blocked, the recent ruling invalidates them entirely, raising questions about their ongoing influence.

The Education Department expressed disappointment but emphasized its continued commitment to civil rights protections, asserting that the ruling does not diminish its enforcement capabilities.

The ruling comes amid investigations into 45 institutions, including Duke University, for allegedly engaging in race-exclusionary practices in graduate programs, with some facing federal scrutiny under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

The overall impact of the ruling on future DEI policies in higher education remains uncertain, as legal battles and state-level cases continue to unfold.

This decision is part of a broader effort by the administration to restrict certain diversity and inclusion practices, especially following interpretations of a 2023 Supreme Court ruling limiting race in college admissions.

The lawsuit challenging the memos was filed by groups including the American Federation of Teachers and Democracy Forward, arguing that the directives violated procedural rules and constitutional rights.

Legal advocates celebrated the ruling as a victory for civil rights and inclusive education, emphasizing that it prevents federal threats to DEI initiatives and upholds procedural legality.

The government argued that the memos were merely reminders that discrimination is illegal, but the judge rejected this, citing procedural violations and overreach.

The Department of Education has not issued an immediate comment on the ruling, highlighting ongoing tensions over race-related policies in education.