A federal judge on Thursday struck down a policy that was adopted early in US President Donald Trump’s administration that required the US Department of Education to terminate millions of dollars in grants funding diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
US District Judge Angel Kelley in Boston ruled, opens new tab in favor of eight Democratic-led states that had continued to challenge the Education Department policy even after the US Supreme Court in April 2025 allowed the administration to proceed with terminating the teacher training grants.
The judge said the policy provided no discernible criteria for what programs would be considered “DEI” and disfavored for funding. The department also failed to consider how canceling the grants would impact those who relied upon the funding, she said.
