In the U.S., a federal judge temporarily blocked the Department of Labor’s request for reports on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs from subcontractors and grant-receiving institutions, as per President Donald Trump’s executive order against such programs.

Judge Matthew Kennelly of the Northern District Court of Illinois announced his decision in a lawsuit filed against the Trump administration by the civil society organization Chicago Women in Trades, which helps women in their crafts. The organization, holding some contracts with the Labor Department, argued that compliance with the request for a DEI report was impossible due to the “vagueness” of Trump’s executive order. Kennelly highlighted that the Trump administration demanded reports only on “illegitimate” DEI programs but fiercely refused to explain its implications, leading to a temporary halt on the Department of Labor’s requests for DEI reports from subcontractors and grant-receiving institutions.

INVESTIGATION INTO STANFORD AND CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITIES
According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, Attorney Pam Bondi announced investigations into whether Stanford and California universities’ Berkeley, Los Angeles, and Irvine campuses engaged in DEI practices with student admissions. Bondi emphasized the compliance needed with the U.S. Supreme Court’s June 2023 ruling banning DEI-based student admissions to universities. Highlighting the resolution to eliminate illegal discrimination and reinstate merit-based opportunities with Trump, Bondi stated, “Every student in the U.S. deserves to be evaluated based on their diligence, intelligence, and character, not their skin color.”

WHAT IS THE DEI PROGRAM?
Under the framework of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program, efforts were made to establish a fair and equal environment, especially in workplaces and schools. However, DEI has faced criticism in recent years for “politicization and dictating its own ideologies.” Trump signed an executive order titled “Ending the Government’s radical and wasteful DEI programs and privileges” upon assuming office on January 20, followed by initiatives to abolish the program. Judge Adam Abelson of the District Court of Maryland issued a preliminary injunction on February 22 regarding Trump’s executive order against DEI programs.