Judge Blocks Part of Trump’s DEI Executive Order, Calls It a ‘Coercive Threat’
Yet another federal judge has blocked a portion of one of President Donald Trump’s executive orders, arguing that his directive to terminate government contracts with all diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs is a “coercive threat.”
Judge Matthew F. Kennelly of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois signed a memorandum opinion and order on Thursday in favor of a Chicago-based nonprofit that promotes “diversity, equity, and inclusion within the skilled trades industry.”
The organization, Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), receives roughly 40 percent of its annual budget from the federal government, according to the document.
In a 46-page civil lawsuit filed in February, a month after Trump signed EO 1415, “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” and EO 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity.”
As a result of Trump’s orders, CWIT received notices from the Department of Labor (DOL) Women’s Bureau and the Illinois DOL about grants they were funding, stating that all recipients of federal financial assistance are directed to cease all activities related to DEI “effective immediately,” and that the department was “reviewing all active federal awards and will take appropriate action, including terminating the awards, consistent with the Executive Orders.” (Read more from “Judge Blocks Part of Trump’s DEI Executive Order, Calls It a ‘Coercive Threat’” HERE)
