The Trump administration is permitted to have it policy positions, the judge wrote, but "it must do so within the procedural bounds Congress has outlined. And it may not do so at the expense of constitutional rights.

U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher said the memos did not follow administrative procedure and risked a violation of free speech when threatening federal funding cuts to higher education institutions that continued DEI programs.

A federal judge has struck down two Trump administration actions aimed at eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs at the nation’s schools and universities