Trump Administration Targets 45 Colleges for Their DEI Programs

The Department of Education said Friday it is investigating 45 colleges over allegations that they participated in “race-exclusionary practices.”

Why it matters: It’s the latest attempt by the Trump administration to crack down on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which have been repeatedly targeted since Trump came into office.

• Framing schools’ DEI programs, which are meant to provide equal opportunities for students of color, as “race-exclusionary” also aligns with some Trump allies’ desire to reinterpret Civil Rights-era laws to focus on “anti-white racism” rather than discrimination against people of color, Axios’ Alex Thompson has reported.

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• The schools allegedly violated the law by partnering with the organization The Ph.D. Project,”which “purports to provide doctoral students with insights into obtaining a Ph.D. and networking opportunities, but limits eligibility based on the race of participants.”

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