Federal judge declines to block Trump order eliminating DEI initiatives by federal contractors

On October 14, 2026, U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson declined to issue a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump's March 2026 executive order restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives among federal contractors. Judge Abelson ruled that plaintiffs, including faculty and minority business groups, failed to show the order violates free speech or due process, noting it only prohibits intentional discrimination already banned by federal law.

Judge denies injunction against executive order

• ▪U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson denied a preliminary injunction on October 14, 2026, refusing to block President Donald Trump's March 2026 executive order restricting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives by federal contractors.
• ▪U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson ruled that President Donald Trump's March 2026 executive order narrowly restricts only conduct already prohibited by federal law, specifically intentional discrimination based on race or ethnicity.
• ▪U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson, an appointee of President Joe Biden, ruled that groups representing university faculty and minority business owners failed to show President Donald Trump's March 2026 executive order was overbroad or likely violated First Amendment free speech or Fifth Amendment due process rights.

Lawsuits challenging the executive order

• ▪In an April 2026 lawsuit represented by progressive legal group Democracy Forward, plaintiffs representing university faculty and minority business owners argued that President Donald Trump's executive order wrongly presumes all diversity, equity, and inclusion programs constitute illegal racial discrimination and restricts constitutionally protected speech.
• ▪A separate lawsuit filed in the same Maryland federal court by 19 Democratic-led states and Washington, D.C. seeks to block federal agencies from altering government contracts to enforce President Donald Trump's executive order.

Requirements and penalties for federal contractors

• ▪President Donald Trump's March 2026 executive order bars racially discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion activities by federal contractors and requires contractors to certify compliance in writing.
• ▪Federal contractors that fail to comply with President Donald Trump's March 2026 executive order risk losing federal contracts and facing investigation under the federal False Claims Act.

Impact on federal contractors

• ▪Democracy Forward stated that U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson's ruling provides reassurance to federal contractors by clarifying that President Donald Trump's executive order does not broadly prohibit diversity programs and applies strictly to government contract work.
• ▪Many of the largest U.S. companies across defense, technology, food service, and logistics operate as federal contractors, with some depending primarily on the government for work.

Broader anti-DEI efforts

• ▪President Donald Trump's administration has moved to eradicate diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across government, higher education, and the private sector.
• ▪President Donald Trump has banned diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within federal agencies and repealed a 1965 executive order that required federal contractors to take affirmative action to hire women and minority workers.