Maryland Joins Multi-State Effort to Protect Diversity and Inclusion Programs

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a coalition of 17 state attorneys general in filing a legal brief to support a challenge against two executive orders that target diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives. The coalition’s filing is part of an amicus brief in the case *Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump*, which is currently before the United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit. The case was initiated by Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT), a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting women in navigating obstacles to entering and maintaining careers in skilled trades. CWIT contends that certain provisions within the executive orders unlawfully jeopardize its federal funding and infringe upon its First Amendment rights. A key concern for CWIT is a mandate requiring recipients of federal grants and contracts to certify that they do not operate any programs promoting DEIA that could be construed as violating federal anti-discrimination laws, despite the administration’s lack of clear definitions for what constitutes illegal discrimination in this context.

The attorneys general argue that DEIA programs are not only lawful but also essential for ensuring compliance with federal civil rights statutes. Their brief highlights how the contested provisions within the executive orders negatively impact states, their residents, and businesses by diminishing the significant advantages derived from fostering diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible environments in workplaces, educational institutions, and communities. The filing aims to persuade the appellate court to uphold a previous partial preliminary injunction that was granted to CWIT by a lower court, though this decision was appealed by the administration. Attorney General Brown’s participation in this coalition underscores Maryland’s commitment to upholding principles of fairness and equal opportunity. This legal action could have broad implications for how federal funding is allocated and how DEIA initiatives are implemented across the nation.

The executive orders in question create a challenging dilemma for state agencies and nonprofit organizations, potentially forcing them to either discontinue programs that promote DEIA or risk losing vital federal funding necessary to serve their communities. The coalition filing the amicus brief includes the attorneys general from California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington, demonstrating a widespread concern among states regarding the potential impact of these executive orders.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General.

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