Judges Block Trump Orders on DEI, Voting Rules

Federal judges have issued injunctions blocking key Trump administration directives restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools and imposing stricter voting requirements. In New Hampshire, Judge Landya McCafferty found the Education Department's threats to cut funding over DEI programs unconstitutionally vague and likely in violation of teachers' First Amendment rights, blocking enforcement only for schools employing National Education Association (NEA) members. In Washington, D.C., a federal judge blocked provisions of a Trump executive order requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote, ruling the president lacked authority to set federal election rules unilaterally. These rulings emphasize judicial resistance to executive overreach in education and voting rights. Legal uncertainty and inconsistent enforcement persist as further challenges continue. Education officials and advocates welcomed the injunctions, citing concerns about civil rights, academic freedom, and voter access.