‘Will Not Surrender’: Harvard Scoffs At Trump Admin’s Demands To Address Antisemitism
'Egregious records of antisemitism'
Trump’s DOJ Tapped To Investigate Defiant Maine Over Men In Women’s Sports
The Justice Department taking over the investigation is an escalation in the fight between the federal government and the state.NY schools defy Trump's DEI ban, effectively daring admin to yank federal funds
The New York State Education Department has informed the Trump administration that it refuses to comply with a mandate to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, even if that means losing federal funding.
In mid-February, President Donald Trump's Department of Education announced that it had sent a letter to the nation's educational institutions that receive federal funds, stating that they "must cease using race preferences and stereotypes as a factor in their admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, sanctions, discipline, and beyond."
'The continued use of illegal DEI practices may subject the individual or entity using such practices to serious consequences.'
It warned that institutions that fail to comply could have their funding pulled. NPR reported that the noncompliant schools could face losing "Title IV, student loans, state funding for curriculum development, free or reduced lunch programs, and support for students with special needs, among others."
The ED's letter to the nation's schools stated, "Educational institutions have toxically indoctrinated students with the false premise that the United States is built upon 'systemic and structural racism' and advanced discriminatory policies and practices. Proponents of these discriminatory practices have attempted to further justify them — particularly during the last four years — under the banner of 'diversity, equity, and inclusion' ('DEI'), smuggling racial stereotypes and explicit race-consciousness into everyday training, programming, and discipline."
It noted that discrimination based on race, color, or national origin is "illegal." The ED warned that any violations were "impermissible."
"The use of certain DEI practices can violate federal law. The continued use of illegal DEI practices may subject the individual or entity using such practices to serious consequences," it read.
Daniel Morton-Bentley, the deputy commissioner of the NYSED, responded to the administration's memo, declaring that the state would not eliminate its DEI initiatives.
Morton-Bentley contended that the NYSED does comply with Title VI but stated, "Beyond that, NYSED is unaware of any authority the USDOE has to demand that a State Education Agency (SEA) agree to its interpretation of a judicial decision or change the terms and conditions of NYSED's award without formal administrative process."
"We understand that the current administration seeks to censor anything it deems 'diversity, equity & inclusion,'" Morton-Bentley continued. "But there are no federal or State laws prohibiting the principles of DEI."
"Given the fact that you are already in possession of guarantees by NYSED that it has and will comply with Title VI, no further certification will be forthcoming," he concluded.
The New York State United Teachers, a union, backed the state education department's decision to continue implementing DEI programs.
The Trump administration's Education Department did not respond to a request for comment from the Washington Post.
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The Education Bureaucrats Are Still Coming For America’s Children
Eliminating the Department of Education is only the first step in breaking the chokehold that the educational establishment has on American families.Trump admin launches team to safeguard children from gender ideology
President Donald Trump's Department of Education and Department of Justice released a joint statement on Friday announcing plans to launch a team dedicated to rooting out gender ideology.
The Title IX Special Investigations Team, also referred to as SIT, will "ensure timely, consistent resolutions to protect students, and especially female athletes, from the pernicious effects of gender ideology in school programs and activities."
'To all entities receiving federal funding who continue to allow these illegal practices, we will not permit you to trample on women's rights any longer.'
"The Title IX SIT will streamline Title IX investigations by creating a specialized team of investigators from across ED and DOJ offices," the joint statement continued. "The establishment of the Title IX SIT will allow personnel to apply a rapid resolution investigation process to the increasing volume of Title IX cases and also enable ED and DOJ to work together to conduct investigations that are fully prepared for ultimate DOJ enforcement."
The action was in response to "a staggering volume of Title IX complaints," the departments noted.
The team will include attorneys from the ED's Office of Civil Rights and Office of General Counsel, as well as the DOJ's Civil Rights Division. The ED will also pull case workers from its Student Privacy and Protection Office and an FSA Enforcement investigator to join Title IX SIT.
ED Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the formation of the specialized team would "benefit women and girls across this nation who have been subjected to discrimination and indignity in their educational activities."
She explained that the Office of Civil Rights, tasked with probing the Title IX cases, "takes months, even years" to complete its investigations.
"OCR under this Administration has moved faster than it ever has, and the Title IX SIT will ensure even more rapid and consistent investigations," McMahon stated. "To all the entities that continue to allow men to compete in women's sports and use women's intimate facilities: there's a new sheriff in town. We will not allow you to get away with denying women's civil rights any longer."
In a video posted to social media announcing the team's creation, McMahon appeared to warn that the administration is prepared to strip federal funding if necessary.
"To all entities receiving federal funding who continue to allow these illegal practices, we will not permit you to trample on women's rights any longer," she said.
Attorney General Pam Bondi called protecting women the "key priority" of the administration's DOJ.
"This collaborative effort with the Department of Education will enable our attorneys to take comprehensive action when women's sports or spaces are threatened and use the full power of the law to remedy any violation of women's civil rights," Bondi remarked.
On Inauguration Day, Trump signed an executive order titled Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government, declaring that the administration would "defend women's rights," in part, by recognizing that there are two sexes that are not changeable.
In February, Trump took additional executive action, signing Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports, which barred males from competing in female sporting events.
"This is demeaning, unfair, and dangerous to women and girls, and denies women and girls the equal opportunity to participate and excel in competitive sports," the EO declared.
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