The American Bar Association (ABA) has chosen to halt its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standard for law schools amid efforts by the Trump administration to eliminate all programs and initiatives related to DEI in the federal government.
The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar voted to pause its current standard, known as Rule 206, until Aug. 31 while it reviews a proposed revision to the rule. The vote occurred at the council’s quarterly meeting in San Antonio on Friday.
The council’s standards committee stated it would evaluate the proposed changes in light of recent actions by the Trump administration to ensure it can enforce the standard in compliance with the law.
President Donald Trump has taken executive action to eliminate DEI programs in the federal government. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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The Trump administration has threatened cuts in federal funding for academic institutions and universities that continue with DEI programs. Trump has also issued executive orders to target DEI in the federal government and private sector.
Daniel Thies, chair-elect of the council and co-chair of its Strategic Review Committee, mentioned that the decision to suspend the standard was necessary.
“The committee’s view is that with the executive orders and the law being in flux, it would be an extreme hardship for law schools if our standards were to require them to do certain things that may cause them to take more litigation risks and potentially violate the law,” Thies stated.
Members of the council’s managing director’s office will visit law schools this spring and provide written guidance.
Attorney General Pam Bondi described the decision as a “victory for common sense.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi hailed the move as a victory for common sense. (AP)
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“Yesterday, the American Bar Association voted to suspend enforcement of Rule 206 – a DEI requirement for the student bodies and faculties of law schools,” Bondi stated.
“This is a victory for common sense! We are bringing meritocracy back to the legal system.”
The Trump administration aims to eliminate all programs and initiatives linked to DEI within the federal government, claiming it has reduced standards and promoted a “woke” agenda. In his initial week back in office, Trump signed an executive order terminating DEI offices and initiatives across the federal workforce.
He followed these actions with two executive orders prohibiting “radical gender ideology” and DEI initiatives from all branches of the U.S. military.
Members of the ABA council’s managing director’s office will visit law schools this spring and provide written guidance. (Getty Images)
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A federal judge on Friday granted a preliminary injunction for sections of the Trump administration’s executive orders on DEI, ruling that parts of the executive orders likely violate the Constitution and free speech rights.
The injunction largely blocks the sections of Trump’s orders that seek to end federal support for programs considered DEI-related and prevents the Trump administration from canceling contracts it believes promote diversity, equity, or inclusion.
Reuters contributed to this report.
