The U.S. appeals court has allowed the Trump administration to temporarily implement a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies and businesses with government contracts, which was previously blocked by a judge. The court in Richmond, Virginia, ruled that President Trump’s directives were likely constitutional, contrary to a previous ruling that disagreed. Two of the three judges on the panel disagreed with Trump’s orders, stating that agencies implementing them may violate the U.S. Constitution. The decision will remain in place pending the administration’s appeal.
The lawsuit was brought by the city of Baltimore and three groups who argued that Trump’s orders unlawfully targeted constitutionally protected free speech. The orders direct federal agencies to eliminate diversity programs and bar federal contractors from having them. They also instruct the Justice Department to identify businesses, schools, and nonprofits that may be discriminating through DEI policies. The Trump administration maintains that the orders are not meant to ban or discourage speech but are aimed at addressing unlawful discrimination.
The plaintiffs accused the administration of defying the previous ruling by continuing to condition federal contracts on recipients agreeing not to implement DEI programs. A hearing held by the judge did not result in a further ruling. The White House and the Justice Department have not yet commented on the appeals court decision. Overall, the ruling allows the Trump administration to move forward with its efforts to eliminate DEI initiatives from both the government and the private sector.
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