NY leads coalition of states suing to block Trump education cuts over DEI

Attorney General Letitia James and at least 18 other attorneys general are suing to block the Trump administration’s plans to withhold funds for districts that don’t ban diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at schools.

The Trump administration announced earlier this month that it considers DEI programs to be discriminatory and a breach of federal civil rights law. Officials said any district that does not sign a document pledging to ban DEI could risk losing federal education funding.

Days later, an attorney with the New York State Education Department responded that New York would not be signing the document, because it has already certified many times that the state complies with civil rights law and was not obligated to concur with the Trump administration’s assertions.

Administration officials had said the deadline for compliance was Thursday.

But a judge in New Hampshire ruled against the anti-DEI effort the same day. Now the attorneys general are seeking a court order to block the federal government from withholding the funds, which could be catastrophic for schools, James said in a press release.

“Every student has the fundamental right to learn in an environment that is welcoming and open to everyone,” she said in a prepared statement.

Federal education officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

New York City educators have voiced fears that losing the federal money would force them to make cuts in arts, sports and other programs as well as critical support for students with disabilities. The city receives about $2 billion in federal funds for high-poverty schools and special education.

The lawsuit also includes the attorneys general from 18 other states including New Jersey, Massachusetts, Vermont and California.

This story has been updated to reflect additional states joining New York's lawsuit.