Attorney General Pam Bondy announced that the Trump administration intends to restrict funding for organizations that implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
She stated, “Entities receiving federal funds must adhere to federal anti-discrimination laws and ensure that their programs do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, gender, religion, or other protected characteristics.
Bondy identified practices such as race-based scholarships intended for “underrepresented groups” and the establishment of “safe spaces” as examples of what would be prohibited.
The memo details several instances deemed illegal use of diversity programs, arguing that they violate civil rights laws designed to protect against discrimination based on various factors like race and gender.
Earlier this year, Bondy circulated a similar memo indicating that the administration is prepared to pursue civil rights lawsuits against private firms using DEI frameworks.
This recent initiative follows multiple actions by the Trump administration aimed at scrutinizing universities, citing specific instances predominantly within the educational context.
The Department of Justice highlighted the scholarship criteria, emphasizing that any measures taken to encourage participation from specific racial or gender groups should not overlook “unserved geographical regions” or “first-generation students.”
The memo goes on to suggest that entities must also avoid activities that could be seen as DEI “proxies.”
One restriction mentioned is about job candidates needing to showcase “cultural competence,” “lived experiences,” or “intercultural skills,” which could unfortunately lead to evaluating applicants based on their racial or ethnic identity rather than their objective qualifications.
Additionally, it references inquiries about personal ‘challenges’ overcome and mandates the submission of a ‘diversity statement.’
While the memo does support initiatives designed to uplift women, it stresses that exceptions, especially concerning transgender athletes, need to be carefully justified.
