US appeals court rejects challenge to Trump’s efforts to ban DEI
#Appeals Court #Donald Trump #Diversity Equity and Inclusion #Executive Order #Federal Employees #5th Circuit #DEI Ban
📌 Key Takeaways
- The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed a challenge to Donald Trump's 2020 ban on DEI training.
- Judges ruled that the plaintiffs lacked standing to sue because the executive order was already rescinded by the Biden administration.
- The 2020 order had aimed to prevent federal agencies from using 'divisive concepts' in employee training sessions.
- The ruling highlights the ongoing legal and political battle over diversity and equity initiatives within the U.S. government.
📖 Full Retelling
🐦 Character Reactions (Tweets)
Legal EagleSo the appeals court said, 'You've got no standing!' Looks like the only thing that’s getting banned is logical reasoning. #DEIBan #CourtHumor
Satirical ScholarRemember when we thought executive orders were just for pizza deliveries? Turns out, they also come with a side of ideological confusion. #DEI #JudicialJokes
Political ParrotThe 5th Circuit made it clear: feeling uncomfortable about DEI training isn’t injury; it’s just a Tuesday in America. #DEI #LawAndDisorder
Diversity DetectiveSo the court just confirmed: checking your privilege won't hold up in court... unless you're part of a certain appeal. #CourtLife #EquityAndJustice
💬 Character Dialogue
🏷️ Themes
Law, DEI, Politics, Economy
📚 Related People & Topics
Executive order
Federal administrative instruction issued by a head of state or government
An executive order is a directive issued by the head of state or government that manages the operations of a nation's federal administration. While the structure and authority of executive orders vary by country, they generally allow leaders to direct government agencies, implement policies, or resp...
Donald Trump
President of the United States (2017–2021; since 2025)
# Donald John Trump **Donald John Trump** (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman currently serving as the **47th president of the United States**. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the **45th president** from 2017 to 2021. --- ##...
Appellate court
Court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal
An appellate court, commonly called a court of appeal(s), appeal court, court of second instance or second instance court, is any court of law that is empowered to hear a case upon appeal from a trial court or other lower tribunal. An appellate court other than a supreme court is sometimes referred ...
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📄 Original Source Content
A federal appeals court on Friday rejected a challenge to a move by President Donald Trump’s administration to ban diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at federal agencies and businesses with government contracts. A three-judge panel of the Richmond, Virginia-based 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned an injunction that would have blocked the administration from implementing executive orders signed shortly after taking office aimed at eliminating DEI programming in the government and private sector. The court in March 2025 had put on hold that preliminary injunction, which had been issued by Baltimore-based U.S. District Judge Adam Abelson, while it weighed the government’s appeal. Democracy Forward, a liberal legal group that represented the plaintiffs, said it is reviewing the ruling. Abelson’s initial ruling came in a lawsuit by the city of Baltimore, the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, and the American Association of University Professors. They challenged provisions of the executive orders that directed federal agencies to eliminate DEI programs, certify that government contractors and grant recipients do not operate them, and work with the Justice Department to deter DEI programs and investigate companies with such policies. Abelson had concluded the directives likely violate the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment free speech protections and impose vague standards that fail to comply with the Fifth Amendment’s due process requirements. However, U.S. Circuit Judge Albert Diaz, writing for the panel, said the directives could not be challenged head-on. Instead, they could be challenged based on how agencies apply them to specific grant recipients. "President Trump has decided that equity isn’t a priority in his administration and so has directed his subordinates to terminate funding that supports equity-related projects to the maximum extent allowed by law," Diaz wrote. "Whether that’s sound policy or not is...