WASHINGTON, DC — The Trump administration has agreed not to withhold federal funding from K-12 schools over diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI) initiatives, following legal challenges from 19 state attorneys general.
The dispute began in April 2025 when the U.S. Department of Education warned state and local agencies they would need to adopt the administration’s interpretation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as it relates to DEI programs or risk losing federal education funding. While 21 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico initially complied, others, including Nevada, filed suit.
Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford and counterparts in 18 other states argued the policy violated constitutional provisions, including the Spending Clause and the separation of powers, asserting that only Congress has authority over federal appropriations. A separate lawsuit filed by the American Federation of Teachers resulted in a court vacating the administration’s funding condition.
On Feb. 6, the parties filed an agreement dismissing the administration’s appeal and preventing federal officials from withholding funds tied to DEI compliance. The at-risk funding supports programs serving low-income students, English language learners, special education students, children in foster care, and students experiencing homelessness.
Attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Nevada joined the agreement, bringing the dispute to a close for now.
Sources
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