DOGE and the Education Department Warn States of Funding Cuts Unless They Eliminate DEI Programs
A letter from the Education Department shared on X by DOGE mandates that state education departments comply within 14 days.
TroibNews 
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the Department of Education issued a warning on Friday to state education departments, stating they would revoke federal funding for public schools and universities unless all “diversity, equity and inclusion” initiatives are eliminated within two weeks.
This latest action is part of DOGE's extensive reforms within the federal government, which have included significant budget reductions, the dismantling of federal agencies, and a wave of anxiety among federal employees facing potential layoffs. The Department of Education, whose head, Linda McMahon, is still awaiting confirmation, is also under scrutiny for potential cuts or outright elimination, as President Donald Trump aims to transfer education oversight back to the states.
The communication, crafted by the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, underlines the legal requirements against discrimination for schools benefiting from federal funds, referencing a Supreme Court decision related to Harvard University's affirmative action policies. The Court determined that racial preferences in college admissions are unlawful, and the letter contends this “sets forth a framework” that has broader implications.
“The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent,” acting Secretary Craig Trainor stated in the letter sent to every state education department.
The Department's notice instructs educational institutions, from preschools to universities, to ensure that their policies align with this interpretation of the law, indicating that assessments will begin in two weeks and state compliance will be linked to federal funding.
The Department of Education has yet to provide a response to requests for comment.
The directive could significantly affect public colleges that offer programs for minority and disadvantaged students, impacting initiatives such as clubs, student aid, and even graduation ceremonies. Many institutions have already started removing DEI-related content from their websites and closing DEI offices.
During his initial week in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at “ending indoctrination” in K-12 education and prohibiting federal funding for schools that incorporate “gender ideology and critical race theory into the curriculum.” His administration also eliminated DEI policies across federal agencies, including the Department of Education, which removed DEI officers and erased references to issues of gender, race, or sexuality from its websites.
The Education Department has previously acted against public schools, launching an investigation into Denver Public Schools in late January for transforming a female restroom into an all-gender facility at a local high school. Recently, the Department terminated 70 DEI training grants, as noted by DOGE on X.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the letter as illegal on Friday. Sen. Patty Murray urged parents, students, and teachers not to feel intimidated by the warning.
“While it’s anyone’s guess what falls under the Trump administration’s definition of ‘DEI’, there is simply no authority or basis for Trump to impose such a mandate,” Murray stated in a press release.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
This latest action is part of DOGE's extensive reforms within the federal government, which have included significant budget reductions, the dismantling of federal agencies, and a wave of anxiety among federal employees facing potential layoffs. The Department of Education, whose head, Linda McMahon, is still awaiting confirmation, is also under scrutiny for potential cuts or outright elimination, as President Donald Trump aims to transfer education oversight back to the states.
The communication, crafted by the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the Department of Education, underlines the legal requirements against discrimination for schools benefiting from federal funds, referencing a Supreme Court decision related to Harvard University's affirmative action policies. The Court determined that racial preferences in college admissions are unlawful, and the letter contends this “sets forth a framework” that has broader implications.
“The law is clear: treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal under controlling Supreme Court precedent,” acting Secretary Craig Trainor stated in the letter sent to every state education department.
The Department's notice instructs educational institutions, from preschools to universities, to ensure that their policies align with this interpretation of the law, indicating that assessments will begin in two weeks and state compliance will be linked to federal funding.
The Department of Education has yet to provide a response to requests for comment.
The directive could significantly affect public colleges that offer programs for minority and disadvantaged students, impacting initiatives such as clubs, student aid, and even graduation ceremonies. Many institutions have already started removing DEI-related content from their websites and closing DEI offices.
During his initial week in office, Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at “ending indoctrination” in K-12 education and prohibiting federal funding for schools that incorporate “gender ideology and critical race theory into the curriculum.” His administration also eliminated DEI policies across federal agencies, including the Department of Education, which removed DEI officers and erased references to issues of gender, race, or sexuality from its websites.
The Education Department has previously acted against public schools, launching an investigation into Denver Public Schools in late January for transforming a female restroom into an all-gender facility at a local high school. Recently, the Department terminated 70 DEI training grants, as noted by DOGE on X.
Democratic lawmakers criticized the letter as illegal on Friday. Sen. Patty Murray urged parents, students, and teachers not to feel intimidated by the warning.
“While it’s anyone’s guess what falls under the Trump administration’s definition of ‘DEI’, there is simply no authority or basis for Trump to impose such a mandate,” Murray stated in a press release.
Ramin Sohrabi contributed to this report for TROIB News
