Trump administration tells universities to end DEI programs before deadline or risk losing funding

The Trump administration has warned America’s schools and universities that they have to get rid of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies or they run the risk of losing federal funding. 

The Department of Education put out a memo Friday that said schools had to stop using “racial preferences” when considering hiring in admissions, financial aid or other areas, according to The Associated Press.

The schools were given 14 days to end the practices deemed to be under DEI or risk losing federal funding. 

“Schools have been operating on the pretext that selecting students for ‘diversity’ or similar euphemisms is not selecting them based on race,” acting assistant secretary for civil rights Craig Trainor said. “No longer. Students should be assessed according to merit, accomplishment and character.”

Earlier this week, the department cut $600 million in grants that were meant to go to organizations to train teachers. 

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