Education Dept Drops Appeal in Case Blocking Anti‑DEI Funding Threat to Schools
The Education Department has dropped its appeal in a case that had blocked a Trump-era policy threatening to withhold federal funds from schools and colleges over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Separately, Axios reported that the Justice Department’s misconduct case against a judge in a deportation-flight matter was undercut by a lack of proof, highlighting legal vulnerabilities in high-profile federal actions.
📌 Key Facts
- On January 21, 2026, the Education Department filed to dismiss its appeal of an August 2025 ruling against its anti‑DEI guidance.
- The disputed guidance, issued in a February 2025 'Dear Colleague Letter' and a later K–12 memo, warned schools and colleges they could lose federal funding if they used race in admissions, hiring, scholarships or other aspects of campus life and required K–12 systems to certify they did not practice DEI.
- U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher held that the campaign violated the First Amendment and federal procedural rules by stifling teachers’ lawful speech, in a suit brought by the American Federation of Teachers and litigated by Democracy Forward.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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February 01, 2026
January 21, 2026