The city of Baltimore and three organizations have taken legal action against President Donald Trump and his administration, challenging two executive orders that aim to eliminate diversity programs. These orders, issued in the early days of Trump’s presidency, threaten economic sanctions and dismissals for government support of diversity, equity, and inclusion practices. The lawsuit argues that the orders overstep the president’s constitutional authority and seeks injunctions to block and declare them unlawful.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit are Trump, nine government departments, corresponding Cabinet officers, the National Science Foundation, and the Office of Management and Budget. Trump’s campaign promise to end programs benefiting women, ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ individuals in government jobs and contracts is at the center of this legal battle. While he claims these programs disadvantage more qualified applicants, civil rights and equality advocates argue they are essential to addressing historical discrimination and disparities in pay and opportunities.

The lawsuit emphasizes the importance of Congress’s authority over funding decisions and criticizes Trump’s attempts to silence dissent by threatening the loss of federal funds. The executive orders issued on January 20 and 21 target a wide range of entities, including publicly traded corporations, non-profits, and universities, signaling a significant shift in government policy on diversity initiatives. This legal challenge underscores the ongoing debate surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in the federal government and broader society.