Injunction lifted on Trump executive orders slashing federal DEI support
========================================================================

By 



Published March 14, 2025 10:02pm EDT

An appeals court on Friday lifted a block on President 's executive orders ending federal support for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

A panel of three judges ruled the orders can be enforced during a pending lawsuit, reversing a nationwide injunction from U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson in Baltimore, the Associated Press reported.

Two of the judges on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the orders "could raise concerns" about  rights, but found Abelson's "sweeping block went too far," according to the report.





Abelson, a Biden nominee, previously ruled the orders violated the First Amendment right to  and were unconstitutionally "vague," as they did not define DEI.

The ruling followed a lawsuit filed by the City of Baltimore, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the American Association of University Professors and the Restaurant Opportunities Centers United, which alleged the executive orders were presidential overreach and anti-free speech.

They argued the president's power "is not limitless."





Trump's orders directed federal agencies to terminate all "equity-related" grants or contracts, and required federal contractors to certify that they don’t promote DEI.

The administration argued in court that the ban only affected  violating federal civil rights laws.

"What’s happening is an overcorrection and pulling back on DEI statements," attorney Aleshadye Getachew said in a hearing.





While the president secured a win with the latest injunction, a similar federal lawsuit was filed in  on Wednesday challenging DEI executive orders including: "Ending Radical and Wasteful DEI Programs and Preferencing;" "Defending Women From Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government;" and "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity."



Alexandra Koch is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital. Prior to joining Fox News, Alexandra covered breaking news, crime, religion, and  in the southeast.

Related Topics
--------------

- 
- 
- 

### Fox News Politics

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.

Arrives Weekdays

By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News  and , and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.

Subscribe Subscribed
```