Education Department launches probe into George Mason University over DEI policies

The Department of Education on Thursday opened an investigation into George Mason University (GMU) over allegations of discrimination due to its diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies.

The Trump administration has ordered the federal government and universities to end discriminatory DEI policies in favor of merit-based policies that do not consider a person's race, sex, ethnicity, national origin statistics or “the broader concept of ‘underrepresentation'" when it comes to hiring people, promoting them or accepting students.

Despite the push, teachers at GMU have accused the school of discrimination in favor of minorities when it comes to hiring opportunities and promotions.

“Despite the leadership of [GMU] claiming that it does not discriminate on the basis of race, it appears that its hiring and promotion policies and practices from 2020 to the present, implemented under the guise of so-called ‘Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,’ not only allow but champion illegal racial preferencing in violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964," Craig Trainor, acting assistant secretary for civil rights at the Education Department, said in a statement.

"This kind of pernicious and wide-spread discrimination—packaged as ‘anti-racism’—was allowed to flourish under the Biden Administration, but it will not be tolerated by this one,” Trainor continued. “The Trump-McMahon Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights will investigate this matter fully to ensure that individuals are judged based on their merit and accomplishment, not the color of their skin."

Trainor added that it was also "deeply disheartening" that the school's leadership would discriminate against others given the school's namesake being the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. 

The department also claimed GMU has been hiring equity advisers in academic departments, and created a task force on anti-racism and inclusive excellence, according to The Hill.

“As always, we will work in good faith to give a full and prompt response. George Mason University again affirms its commitment to comply with all federal and state mandates," the university said in a statement. "The university consistently reviews its policies and practices to ensure compliance with federal laws, updated executive orders, and on-going agency directives."

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.