Judge Strikes Down Parts of DeSantis’ Law

A federal judge appointed by President Trump has ruled against certain aspects of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ “stop-woke” law, citing a violation of the First Amendment.

In a 2-1 ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit suspended the higher education segment of a 2022 law designed to prevent leftist gender ideology and critical race theory from being taught in schools. Until the verdict is finalized, that section remains blocked.

The 2022 legislation forbids educators and workplace trainers from discussing race or gender in a manner that could provoke guilt or blame, or in such a way that might lead to penalties.

Florida officials argued that the lectures delivered by professors are under state jurisdiction since they are financed by public funds.

Judge Britt Grant, appointed during Trump’s presidency, expressed that “If the First Amendment has a line of protection for public university classrooms, this law crosses that line.”

As of now, DeSantis has not responded to inquiries regarding the ruling.

Grant’s decision remarked that Florida’s regulation is an assertion of power aimed at silencing unpopular views. It asserted that the law prohibits training that would encourage or compel students at public universities to adopt specific concepts related to race and gender.

This ruling emerged from lawsuits filed by professors, students, and student organizations asserting that the law leads to unconstitutional restrictions on classroom speech.

Previous statements from DeSantis’ office claimed the law aims to “protect the open exchange of ideas” in educational settings. They argued that the legislation forbids the imposition of discriminatory concepts on students and employees, deeming it essential for a critical and open-minded environment.

DeSantis previously ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, where he took a right-leaning stance on various social matters. After a disappointing performance in the Iowa caucuses, he suspended his campaign and later endorsed Trump.