A coalition of higher education workers, academics, restaurant workers, and the City of Maryland have filed a lawsuit to block two of President Trump's anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) executive orders. On January 20th and 21st, 2025, Trump issued two executive orders titled "Ending Radical Government DEI Programs and Preferencing" and "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,” the first of which directs the Office of Management and Budget to remove DEI and environmental justice programs from all executive branch agencies and government contracts. The second executive order threatens to defund and/or conduct civil investigations against any institution, government contractor, or grant award that utilizes DEI programs. The plaintiffs argue that these executive orders violate their First Amendment right to freedom of speech, as well as their Fifth Amendment right to due process. The plaintiffs request that the court declare the two anti-DEI executive orders unlawful and unenforceable.
