A coalition of 19 states, led by California and New York, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s directive to withhold funding from states and school districts implementing certain diversity, equity, and inclusion programmes, arguing it violates federal civil rights laws.
A coalition of 19 states has initiated legal action against the Trump administration, challenging its recent directive to withhold federal funding from states and school districts that implement certain diversity programmes. The lawsuit was filed on Friday in federal court by the attorneys general of states including California, New York, Illinois, and Minnesota, all of which have Democratic-leaning governments.
The legal challenge arises from a memorandum issued on April 3 by the Trump administration, which demands that states certify they do not utilise specific diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The administration has labelled these programmes as illegal under federal civil rights law. According to the terms of the memo, any state that refuses to provide this certification risks losing federal funding allocated for supporting low-income students.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta addressed the media during a news conference on the day the lawsuit was filed, stating that the administration had misinterpreted federal civil rights legislation in an effort to compel states to dismantle legally sanctioned diversity programmes. He emphasised that the coalition is contesting what they view as an overreach by the federal government directed at undermining efforts to promote educational equity and inclusion.
The legal dispute highlights ongoing tension between state governments and the federal administration over educational policies related to diversity programming in public schools. The coalition argues that the administration’s demands infringe upon lawful state-run efforts to foster inclusive educational environments. The case is expected to be closely watched as it may set significant precedents regarding federal authority over educational funding and diversity initiatives.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/judge-blocks-trump-push-to-cut-public-school-funding-over-diversity-programs – This URL corroborates the legal challenges against the Trump administration regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public schools. It mentions that a federal judge blocked Trump administration directives to cut funding for schools with such programs.
- https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-04-25/california-other-states-sue-trump-administration-over-anti-dei-funding-threats-to-schools – This article supports the claim that California, along with other states, sued the Trump administration over threats to eliminate diversity programs or lose federal funding. It highlights California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s stance on the legality of these programs.
- https://www.ctpost.com/news/education/article/19-states-sue-trump-administration-over-push-to-20294978.php – This article confirms that 19 states have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over efforts to end diversity programs, risking substantial federal funding, including support for students with disabilities.
- https://calmatters.org/education/k-12-education/2025/04/dei/ – This article discusses the ruling that limits Trump’s crackdown on school diversity programs, emphasizing the risk of losing federal funding, including money for low-income students.
- https://ctmirror.org/2025/04/24/dei-education-funding-trump/ – This URL provides context on the legal dispute and highlights the accusations against the Trump administration for violating teachers’ rights and issuing vague directives regarding diversity programs.
- https://www.noahwire.com/ – Unfortunately, without direct access to the article on Noah Wire Services, this URL serves as a reference point for the original article discussing the coalition of states challenging Trump’s directive.
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/25/us/19-states-sue-the-trump-administration-over-its-dei-demand-in-schools.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The information is current, referencing a recent lawsuit and events in April 2025.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from California Attorney General Rob Bonta is noted but not verified against earlier sources, as it appears to be part of a press event. There is no evidence to suggest it is anything other than original.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from a reputable outlet, The New York Times, known for reliable reporting.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The lawsuit and claims align with ongoing political and legal tensions regarding educational policies and diversity initiatives, making it plausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The content is fresh, originates from a reliable source, and presents plausible claims. However, the quote’s originality could not be fully verified.
