Trump anti-DEI orders face new legal challenge

Baltimore and a coalition of education and labor organizations sued the Trump administration on Monday, alleging that a pair of executive orders banning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs violates First Amendment free speech protections.

The lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland targets two sweeping orders signed by President Donald Trump in January, including one directing federal agencies to terminate all equity-related grants and contracts and another that threatens civil investigations and financial penalties to “deter DEI programs or principles.”