WASHINGTON, D.C.—On February 14, the U.S. Department of Education issued a strong warning. Education agencies and institutions across the country must eliminate what they term “insidious” DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies within 14 days, or risk losing federal funding.
This ultimatum came through a letter from Craig Trainor, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights. He emphasized that discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is not only illegal but also morally wrong. According to Trainor, many educational institutions have used DEI initiatives to mislead students about the founding of the United States, suggesting it is rooted in “systemic and structural racism.”
Trainor noted that DEI programs often favor specific racial groups and teach that some groups carry unique burdens that others do not. He expressed concern that these programs promote harmful racial stereotypes, impacting students unfairly.
Furthermore, Trainor criticized the practice of using non-racial information to assess or predict a student’s race, stating that this approach violates the law. He made it clear that schools cannot use personal essays, writing samples, or involvement in extracurricular activities to infer a student’s race. This kind of discrimination cannot be disguised under any policy.
Educational agencies that receive federal funds must comply with the following requirements by February 28:
- Align their policies with existing civil rights laws.
- Avoid using proxies or indirect means to make decisions based on race.
- Stop using third-party contractors to evade prohibited racial considerations.
Trainor warned that the Department will enforce these laws for all educational institutions and state agencies receiving federal assistance.
To report any noncompliance, the public can use the hotline set up by the Department of Education: File a Complaint: Discrimination Form | U.S. Department of Education.
Trainor concluded that any institution treating individuals differently based on race violates legal standards.
Before joining the Department of Education, Trainor had an extensive background, having worked as Senior Special Counsel with the U.S. House of Representatives and as a criminal defense and civil rights lawyer in New York City.
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