Legal Action

A coalition of higher education workers, academics, restaurant workers, and the City of Baltimore have filed a lawsuit to block two of President Trump’s anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) executive orders. On January 20th and 21st, 2025, Trump issued Executive Orders 14151 and 14173, respectively titled “Ending Radical Government DEI Programs and Preferencing” and “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.” Executive Order 14151 directs the Office of Management and Budget to remove DEI and environmental justice programs from all executive branch agencies and government contracts, and Executive Order 14173 threatens to defund and/or conduct civil investigations against any institution, government contractor, or grant award that utilizes DEI programs. The plaintiffs argue that these executive orders violate their First Amendment right to freedom of speech, as well as their Fifth Amendment right to due process.