Attorney General Aaron D. Ford, alongside 17 other attorneys general, has filed an amicus brief in support of a legal challenge against two executive orders from former President Trump that target diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. The coalition presented their case in the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump before the United States Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit.
The plaintiffs, which include higher education associations and the city of Baltimore, are contesting specific provisions within these executive orders. These provisions direct federal agencies to end "equity-related grants or contracts" and require recipients to certify that they do not run programs promoting "diversity, equity and inclusion." Additionally, one order instructed the U.S. Attorney General to urge the private sector to discontinue such initiatives. The administration has not clarified key terms in these orders or specified which practices it finds problematic.
AG Ford stated: “The programs President Trump targets in this case are valuable and entirely lawful.” He emphasized that initiatives supporting diversity create a sense of belonging and enhance idea-sharing among colleagues.
A lower court had previously ruled in favor of the plaintiffs by issuing a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of the contested provisions. However, this injunction was stayed by the 4th Circuit pending further review on appeal. AG Ford and his counterparts are advocating for reinstatement of this injunction.
In their brief, the attorneys general argue that diversity-related programs comply with civil rights statutes at both state and federal levels. They assert that these programs provide significant benefits to states' residents and businesses by fostering inclusive workplaces and communities.
By filing this brief, AG Ford aligns with attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington.