Press Release: 5/21/2025

AG Campbell Supports Challenge to Trump's Unlawful Executive Orders Targeting Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

5/20/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Kennedy Sims, Deputy Press Secretary

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Call Kennedy Sims, Deputy Press Secretary at (617) 727-2543

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Email Kennedy Sims, Deputy Press Secretary at Kennedy.Sims@mass.gov

BOSTON —  Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general in filing an amicus brief in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit, supporting a challenge to two of President Trump’s Executive Orders targeting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives nationwide in National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education v. Trump. 

“I am proud to join this amicus brief with my attorney general colleagues in our continued efforts to protect lawful DEIA policies which we know reduce complaints of illegal discrimination, increase an organization’s bottom line, and improve workforce culture and consumer experience,” said AG Campbell. “We will continue to push back on the Trump administration’s misinformation and illegal actions with respect to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs.”   

In January 2025, President Trump issued two Executive Orders broadly attacking legal DEIA policies and directing executive agencies to terminate “equity-related grants or contracts” and all programing promoting DEIA. One of the orders also directed the U.S. Attorney General to encourage the private sector to end DEIA initiatives. 

The District Court issued a preliminary injunction against the Administration, preventing it from enforcing the President’s Orders due to their unconstitutional vagueness. Following an appeal, the Administration was granted a stay of the injunction from the 4th Circuit until a decision is made on their appeal. AG Campbell and the attorneys general are asking the Court to affirm the District Court’s order and put the injunction back in place. 

In their brief, the attorneys general argue that DEIA programs are lawful and beneficial. In fact, many such programs ensure compliance with state and federal civil rights statutes. The attorneys general also explain how the challenged provisions in the Executive Orders harm their states, as well as their residents and businesses, by denying them the many valuable benefits and protections guaranteed through the American Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Act, and the Fair Housing Act, which have played an essential role in rooting out discrimination and improving cross-cultural understanding.  

Joining AG Campbell in filing the brief were the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington.