By Lindsay Press
In response to President Donald Trump’s announcement that he will withhold funding from any school or university that does not abolish Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 14 attorneys general are pushing back against the president’s policy by providing guidance to K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in discussing the benefits, legality, and significance of common diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies.
The U.S. Department of Education issued a press release in January, stating the Trump administration’s actions to abolish DEI “are in line with President Trump’s ongoing commitment to end illegal discrimination and wasteful spending across the federal government.”
During his March 4 joint address to Congress, Trump announced the abolition of DEI, “We have ended the tyranny of so-called diversity, equity and inclusion policies all across the entire federal government and, indeed, the private sector and our military,” Trump said on March 4. “And our country will be woke no longer.”
James and the coalition encouraged educational establishments to continue supporting DEIA with the reminder that an executive order does not make implementing it illegal.
James argued that DEI cannot be ridden “with a ‘Dear Colleague’ letter. “Schools and educational institutions can rest assured that they are within their legal rights to continue building inclusive learning environments for their students. My office will always stand up for the rule of law and defend New Yorkers from threats.”
Long Island Life & Politics asked James why her office is focused on DEIA when math and reading scores are at very low levels. Her office referred this reporter to the AG’s press release.
LILP also reached out to Trump and is waiting to hear back.