A Maryland federal judge paused portions of the Trump administration‘s sweeping executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout the federal government and in the workforce Friday.
Trump issued several executive orders targeting DEI soon after taking office, and they quickly drew legal challenges, including the one filed in Maryland.
U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson granted a preliminary injunction, which blocks parts of Trump’s directives to cancel federal contracts related to DEI as well as make government contractors verify that will they not engage in DEI practices that violate anti-discrimination laws.
The 42-page Maryland complaint claims these actions amount to a broad censorship campaign and an unconstitutional power grab.
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott, a Democrat, condemned the orders as a direct attack on local communities and institutions that rely on federal funding.
“This executive order goes beyond just attacking DEI — it aims to establish the legal framework to attack anyone or any place who dares to celebrate our diversity,” Scott said. “Baltimore citizens risk losing vital federal funding due to this executive order, putting jobs and livelihoods at stake — and we will fight it with every legal tool available to us.”
The lawsuit warns that free expression could be at risk due to the vague nature of the executive orders.
“Plaintiffs must either risk prosecution for making a false claim or censor promotion of their values. Our Constitution does not tolerate that result,” the lawsuit states, adding that “President Trump wishes to see the end of all diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs of any kind whatsoever” and “bypass Congress’s exclusive power of the purse” by unilaterally cutting off funds for DEI initiatives.
“The undefined terms leave potential targets with no anchor as to what speech or which actions the order encompasses,” the plaintiffs argue.
WHAT IS DOGE? WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY
Eliminating DEI has been a critical part of the Trump administration’s cost-cutting efforts. Earlier this month, the Department of Government Efficiency slashed $101 million in Department of Education DEI training grants.
DOGE leader Elon Musk has been highly critical of the practice. “DEI is just another word for racism,” Musk posted on X. “Shame on anyone who uses it.”
