The Trump administration has officially terminated $600 million in federal grants previously awarded to institutions and nonprofit organizations promoting progressive education initiatives, including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and critical race theory (CRT).
The Department of Education announced the decision Monday, explaining that the grants had been funding programs that taught left-wing ideologies to education agencies and teachers. These initiatives included social justice activism, "anti-racism" training, and other race-centered pedagogies. The department cited concerns that such programs hyper-fixate on identity rather than focusing on individual character and professional merit.
According to the department’s statement, some of the now-canceled grants funded programs that:
Trained teachers on “Dismantling Racial Bias” and “Centering Equity in the Classroom.”
Instructed educators to recognize and address “systemic forms of oppression and inequity.”
Required participants to take responsibility for “systemic inequities” on both personal and institutional levels.
Taught “abolitionist pedagogies” and “diversity in classroom management.”
Pushback Against DEI and CRT in Education
The move aligns with the administration’s broader efforts to eliminate federally funded DEI initiatives, which critics argue are divisive and promote discrimination based on race. Many conservatives believe these programs unfairly categorize individuals based on immutable characteristics rather than merit and professional capability.
The Education Department also warned schools that they could lose federal funding if they do not comply with anti-discrimination laws and dismantle certain DEI initiatives within the next two weeks. This directive follows the Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling that struck down race-based college admissions under the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause.
Trump’s Larger Plan to Restructure Education Policy
President Trump has been vocal about his plans to reshape federal education policy, including potentially dismantling the Department of Education altogether. He has long advocated for shifting education control back to individual states, arguing that federal oversight has led to inefficiencies and ideological overreach.
In September 2023, Trump reiterated his commitment to shutting down the department, stating:
“One other thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education and education work and needs back to the states.”
Reports suggest that the administration is preparing an executive order to eliminate the agency, though such a move would likely face legal challenges from progressive groups, teachers' unions, and Democratic-led states.
Broader Crackdown on DEI Programs
This decision is the latest in Trump’s broader push to eliminate DEI programs from government institutions. Since returning to office, Trump has signed executive orders declaring DEI illegal in federal agencies and revoking affirmative action requirements for federal contractors. He has also moved to fire DEI officers within the federal government and prevent taxpayer funding from being used for such programs.
Many conservatives see these efforts as necessary to depoliticize education and restore a focus on academic excellence rather than ideological activism. However, opponents argue that removing DEI initiatives could reduce support systems for marginalized communities and hinder diversity efforts in schools.
