Judge Halts Trump's DEI Funding Cuts

A federal judge in Maryland, Adam Abelson, has issued a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration's executive orders aimed at cutting federal funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The injunction was granted following lawsuits from various civic and educational groups, including the city of Baltimore, which argued the orders violate free speech rights and are overly vague, risking arbitrary enforcement. Abelson, a Biden appointee, noted that the administration failed to clearly define what constitutes DEI, raising concerns about potential suppression of speech and discriminatory practices. The ruling prevents the government from canceling DEI-related contracts or requiring grant recipients to certify non-engagement in DEI practices. The legal battle is expected to continue, as the Trump administration defends the orders as a right to align federal spending with presidential priorities. Critics argue that these moves are an unconstitutional overreach and threaten longstanding diversity efforts.