Judge blocks Trump anti-DEI conditions on California, Oregon grants

Source: Politico

07/10/2026 01:26 PM EDT


A federal judge on Thursday blocked the Trump administration from imposing “anti-DEI” conditions on grants sought by 11 cities and counties in California and Oregon from the Departments of Justice, Homeland Security, Interior, and FEMA.

California-based U.S. District Judge William Orrick granted the municipalities a preliminary injunction, holding that the administration’s bar on programs that advance diversity and equity violate Congress’ power to control federal spending and the government’s obligation to adequately define and explain any conditions attached to federal money.

The anti-DEI policies either “have nothing to do with or contradict” Congress’ intent in authorizing the grants, Orrick wrote, noting that federal law bars gender and race discrimination and that lawmakers often explicitly direct resources — such as money to combat human trafficking — toward women and other underserved communities.

“Plaintiffs maintain that ‘[n]othing in the Constitution or federal statutes authorizes Defendants to impose the Challenged Conditions, or anything of the kind, on funds administered through congressional grant programs,’” Orrick wrote. “I agree.”

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2026/07/10/judge-blocks-trump-anti-dei-conditions-california-oregon-grants-00993264