New York Schools Defy Trump, Reject DEI Funding Cuts!

2025-04-06 00:01:19.432

The New York State Department of Education rejected the Trump Administration’s demand to eliminate its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in public schools. This defiance comes despite threats from the US Department of Education to withhold federal funding. States were given 10 days to sign a letter agreeing to comply with the order, which stated that federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right. New York, however, refused. Schools in New York receive $2.2 billion annually in federal funds, representing 5% of their budget. In a letter to the US Department of Education, New York's Department of Education attorney, Daniel Morton-Bentley, argued that no federal or state laws prohibit the principles of DEI and questioned the federal government's authority to demand changes without a formal administrative process. He further stated that the Supreme Court's ruling on affirmative action, which the Trump administration cited, does not justify the demanded actions. The Trump administration accused schools of using DEI programs to discriminate, while New York City schools received $2.2 billion in federal funding during the 2025 fiscal year.