Judge Mulls Ripeness of Suit Against Trump’s ‘Novel’ DEI Order

A Maryland federal judge repeatedly challenged the Trump administration’s argument in court Wednesday that sweeping executive orders targeting allegedly discriminatory diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in business and higher education aren’t ripe for judicial review.

Judge Adam Abelson, a Biden appointee at the US District Court for the District of Maryland, peppered a US Justice Department attorney about what DEI-related activities are unlawful, as he examined whether to issue a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction that would pause government enforcement of the orders.

The lawsuit is one of the first seeking to invalidate Trump’s order, which also stripped ...