By President-elect Donald Trump has announced plans to target schools implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, proposing to seize their endowments and redistribute the funds as “restitution” to those he claims are victims of such policies.
In a July video statement, Trump outlined his intention to impose severe financial penalties on educational institutions maintaining DEI programs. “Schools that persist in explicit unlawful discrimination under the guise of equity will not only have their endowment taxed, but through budget reconciliation, I will advance a measure to have them fined up to the entire amount of their endowment,” Trump said.
The president-elect’s proposal represents a significant escalation in conservative efforts to dismantle federal anti-discrimination policies protecting students across gender, race, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, and disability categories – programs Trump and his supporters characterize as “indoctrination.”
The plan resonates with critics who argue DEI programs discriminate against white people, while civil rights organizations defend these initiatives as essential safeguards. The NAACP stated on social media platform X that DEI programs “are key to ensuring equal opportunity” for all students, adding, “We must defend diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure every child succeeds.”
Trump’s proposal emerges amid a growing “parental rights” movement, with conservative parents challenging inclusive curricula and policies. However, education experts note that the federal government’s role in public education is limited, with states and local governments controlling most rules and funding.
Current Education Secretary Miguel Cardona responded to the broader threat to his department on X: “If you support eliminating the Department of Education, you do not support our students. Period.”
While Trump has suggested abolishing the Department of Education entirely, such action would require congressional approval, making it unlikely despite some Republican support. The department’s primary functions include providing K-12 funding, managing federal student loans, and enforcing civil rights laws – responsibilities that advocates argue are vital to maintaining educational equity.
The federal government’s educational oversight, though relatively limited, plays a crucial role in protecting student rights and providing financial support. Any attempt to dismantle these protections could face significant legal and legislative challenges, according to constitutional law experts.
Civil rights organizations warn that Trump’s proposed policies could reverse decades of progress in educational equity and access. Education policy analysts note that implementing such sweeping changes would require navigating complex federal and state jurisdictions, as well as potential constitutional challenges.
