Major Victory for President Trump and the American People
A federal appeals court delivered a significant win for President Donald Trump on Friday evening, lifting a block on two of his executive orders aimed at eliminating Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) policies in the federal government.
Trump’s executive orders—one targeting DEI policies within federal agencies and another restricting DEI requirements for federal grant recipients—had previously been halted by a Biden-appointed federal judge.
However, in a major legal reversal, a three-judge panel from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals in Virginia granted the government’s motion to stay the preliminary injunction while the case continues through the courts.
The panel included:
- Chief Judge Albert Diaz (Obama appointee)
- Judge Pamela Harris (Obama appointee)
- Judge Allison Blair Jones Rushing (Trump appointee)
While this is not a final ruling, the decision allows Trump’s executive orders to take effect as the case moves forward.
The Case & Legal Arguments
The lawsuit challenging Trump’s orders was filed by the Mayor and City Council of Baltimore, Maryland, along with three national organizations. Last month, a lower court issued a preliminary injunction, blocking enforcement of Trump’s orders.
On Friday evening, the 4th Circuit reversed that injunction, restoring Trump’s policies for now.
Judicial Reactions
Despite ruling in favor of Trump’s executive authority, Obama-appointed judges on the panel took the opportunity to praise DEI policies, demonstrating their ideological bias.
Chief Judge Albert Diaz wrote in a concurring opinion:
“What could be more American than that?”—referring to his belief that DEI policies “create an environment and culture where everyone is respected and valued.”
Judge Pamela Harris also acknowledged that Trump’s orders do not violate the First or Fifth Amendment, emphasizing that the orders apply only to conduct that violates existing anti-discrimination laws.
In contrast, Trump-appointed Judge Allison Rushing took a firm stance against the scope of the original injunction, arguing that the district court overstepped its authority.
She criticized the Obama-appointed judges for allowing personal opinions on DEI policies to influence their rulings, stating:
“A judge’s opinion that DEI programs ‘deserve praise, not opprobrium’ should play absolutely no part in deciding this case.”
Judge Rushing further reminded the panel of their constitutional duty, warning against the judiciary overstepping its role:
“We must not lose sight of the boundaries of our constitutional role and the imperative of judicial impartiality.”
What’s Next?
Although this ruling is not the final word, it marks a significant legal victory for Trump as his administration continues to dismantle race-based policies in government.
With Trump’s executive orders back in effect, the broader battle over DEI in federal programs is likely to escalate as the case advances through the court system.
For now, this major legal win signals a resurgence of constitutional governance, reinforcing Trump’s commitment to ending discriminatory DEI mandates within federal agencies and grant programs.
