Stand With States Defending DEI and Public Education

We applaud the leaders of Minnesota, New York, California, Vermont, Illinois, and cities like Chicago for standing firm against the Trump administration’s threats to cut federal education funding over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The Department of Education, under President Trump, has demanded that states force local school systems to certify compliance with vaguely defined "anti-DEI" mandates or risk losing federal funding. These threats are unjustified, legally questionable, and undermine the very principles of equal opportunity in education.

We support the educators and officials who are rejecting this federal overreach. These leaders are defending not just DEI initiatives, but students’ rights to inclusive and supportive schools. Their refusal to comply with the administration’s politically motivated demands is a powerful defense of educational equity and civil rights.

Instead of targeting DEI, we should be investing in programs that help all students thrive — regardless of race, gender identity, income, or background.

We thank the state and local officials who are standing strong. Your leadership matters. Keep fighting for our students, our schools, and our future.