The US Supreme Court sided with the Trump administration on Friday, blocking a district judge’s order to reinstate $250 million of diversity, equity and inclusivity (DEI) training funds to eight states.
The 5-4 decision, Trump’s first win at the Supreme Court in his second term, reversed a decision by a district court judge that threw a spanner in the new administration’s efforts to abolish federal DEI programs.
Last month, US district judge Myong Joun, a Biden appointee, issued a temporary restraining order and told the Trump administration to reinstate grants for teacher training in DEI under the Department of Education.
The Trump administration then filed an appeal, but that was denied by the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals.
Five of the conservative Justices were in the majority, while Chief Justice Roberts, who has clashed with President Trump in recent weeks, chose to side with liberal Justices Kagan, Jackson and Sotomayor.
Tensions between the President and Chief Justice came to a head two weeks ago, over the issue of district judges issuing nationwide orders in an attempt to derail the Trump admin’s flagship policies, including mass deportation and swinging cuts to federal budgets and agencies.
Chief Justice Roberts suggested the President was defying one of the foundational principles of American government by demanding the impeachment of Judge James Boasberg, who attempted to block the deportation of alleged foreign gang members, including members of MS-13, using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
In response, President Trump issued Chief Justice Roberts a challenge on his social-media platform Truth Social.
“It is our goal to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, and such a high aspiration can never be done if Radical and Highly Partisan Judges are allowed to stand in the way of JUSTICE. STOP NATIONWIDE INJUNCTIONS NOW, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE. If Justice Roberts and the United States Supreme Court do not fix this toxic and unprecedented situation IMMEDIATELY, our Country is in very serious trouble!” Trump posted.