Education Department investigating over 50 colleges for alleged racial discrimination

The Education Department announced Friday investigations into alleged discrimination at more than 50 universities, amid President Donald Trump's efforts to end "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion" programs.

The announcement comes about a month after the department issued a memo warned schools that they would lose federal funding if they used "race-based preferences” in admissions, according to The Associated Press.

These practices tend to exclude white people and Asian-Americans, Trump administration officials said. 

“Students must be assessed according to merit and accomplishment, not prejudged by the color of their skin," Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. "We will not yield on this commitment.” 

Some of the universities being investigated for alleged "race-exclusionary" practices include Arizona State , Cornell, Clemson and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Last month, the department cut $600 million in grants that were meant to go to organizations to train teachers. 

The department argued such organizations were promoting "divisive" concepts like DEI and critical race theory.