Education Officials in New York State Disapprove of the Trump Administration’s Order to Discontinue DEI Programs

Despite fears of financial cuts, state education officials in New York have voiced their strong opposition to the administration’s demand that some diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs be discontinued.

Daniel Morton-Bentley, the deputy commissioner and counsel for the New York State Education Department, wrote to the Department of Education (DOE): “We recognize that the current administration aims to censor anything it considers ‘diversity, equity & inclusion.’” Morton-Bentley stressed, however, that “neither state nor federal laws prohibit the principles of D.E.I.”

Morton-Bentley went on to say that as there is no legal foundation for such an action, DOE is not authorized to withdraw support in this situation. After the administration threatened to withhold federal funding if school officials did not comply with its directives to eliminate DEI programs that they deemed discriminatory, the debate began. Morton-Bentley responded by writing, “The DOE can make any policy announcement it wishes, but it cannot confuse policy with law.”

The federal government provides roughly 6% of New York’s K–12 education budget, with $2.2 billion going to New York City in the fiscal year 2025. Craig Trainor, the acting assistant secretary for civil rights at DOE, cited the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision on race-conscious admissions in support of his claim that “federal financial assistance is a privilege, not a right.”

Democratic lawmakers, meanwhile, have backed New York state authorities in their steadfast stance that DEI programs are crucial to resolving structural injustices.