ACLU Challenges Federal Rollbacks on Civil Rights in New Lawsuit

In late October 2025, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit against the federal government, challenging recent executive actions that have significantly curtailed civil rights enforcement mechanisms. The ACLU contends that these rollbacks undermine protections against discrimination in education, housing, and employment, violating constitutional rights and existing civil rights laws.

The lawsuit targets Executive Orders 14151 and 14173, signed by President Donald Trump in January 2025. Executive Order 14151, titled "Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing," mandates the termination of all activities related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) within federal departments. This order led to the elimination of DEIA-related positions and the removal of related content from federal resources. Executive Order 14173, titled "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," prohibits private organizations from conducting DEIA employment programs for jobs created by federal contracts, effectively revoking previous requirements for federal contractors to engage in affirmative action.

The ACLU argues that these executive orders violate constitutional rights and existing civil rights laws by dismantling enforcement mechanisms designed to protect marginalized communities. The organization is seeking immediate relief to halt the implementation of the contested rollbacks.

The impact of these executive orders has been significant across various sectors. In education, the Department of Education dismissed over 3,400 civil rights complaints between March and June 2025, following significant staff reductions and the closure of regional offices. In employment, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has shifted its focus under the Trump administration, warning that certain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies may be illegal, signaling a crackdown on such initiatives. In housing, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced cuts to offices responsible for overseeing civil rights protections, including the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, raising concerns about reduced transparency and oversight.

Legal challenges to these executive orders have emerged from various civil rights organizations. The National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, arguing that the executive orders are unconstitutionally vague and infringe upon First Amendment free speech rights by discriminating against certain viewpoints. In February 2025, U.S. District Judge Adam B. Abelson granted a nationwide preliminary injunction, temporarily blocking enforcement of the orders. However, in March 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit lifted the injunction, allowing the provisions to proceed while litigation continues.

The ACLU's lawsuit represents a critical response to these federal actions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining robust enforcement tools to protect marginalized communities. The outcome of this legal challenge may have profound implications for the future of civil rights enforcement in the United States.