A federal judge in Maryland on Friday temporarily blocked Donald Trump’s ban on diversity, equity, inclusion programs in federal agencies, and businesses that contract with the federal government.
US District Judge Adam Abelson said Trump’s directive and an order urging the Justice Department to investigate companies with DEI policies are likely to violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
“The perspectives and speeches that the White House and Attorney General are believed to support or support the DEI or DEIA through the ongoing implementation of various aspects of the J21 Order are those that the government hopes to punish. , clearly, clearly, clearly, to disappear,” Abelson wrote in a widely shared passage.
“The Supreme Court has done something clear over and over again. The government cannot rely on the “threat of calling legal sanctions or enforcement measures.”
Abelson blocked Trump and several federal agencies from enforcing the orders until they put the outcome of the lawsuits by the City of Baltimore and three groups.
“As the plaintiffs said, “Efforts to promote inclusion have been widespread for decades and are legally indisputable,” Abelson wrote. “The plaintiff’s irreparable harm includes the broad soothing of unquestionable, unprotected speeches.”
Reuters contributed to the report
