Federal Court Upholds Preliminary Injunction Blocking Executive Order Enforcement

A federal court in Baltimore has extended its nationwide block on key provisions of the DEI Executive Orders, halting the Trump administration from limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the private sector, as well as among federal contractors and grant recipients, while the case is on appeal. The court reaffirmed its earlier conclusion that the contested portions of the Executive Orders likely infringe on the First and Fifth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Additionally, the court refused to limit the scope of the preliminary injunction to just the plaintiffs, maintaining its broader application.

Employees may see a pause or retraction of DEIA policy removal from company policy.

Previously, it was recommended that employers review their DEIA programs and consider removing sections based on new federal requirements, especially for federal contractors. At this time, private employers can put a pause on DEIA removal, if they had choosen to move in that direction. Employers with federal contracts or grants should still be cautious in moving forward so as not to jepardize any funding and should consult with legal counsel on best steps.