Like a little kid proudly displaying his latest coloring book masterpiece, Donald Trump held up for all to see his executive order threatening public schools with losing federal funding unless they eliminate programs supporting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives for students.
Watching over his should on that April day in the Oval Office (where Trump has no business setting foot) was Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who is charged with enforcing his edict.
While McMahon has sent a letter to schools across the country warning them to comply, three courts have issued orders restricting its implementation.
In February, McMahon’s department (which Trump has ordered to be eliminated) told schools and colleges they must end any practice that differentiates people based on race. In April, it ordered states to gather signatures from local school systems certifying compliance with civil rights laws, including the rejection of what the federal government calls “illegal DEI practices.”
The courts ruled in favor of the National Education Association and the American Civil Liberties Union, which had challenged the ruling, contending that the Trump administration gave “unconstitutionally vague” guidance and violated teachers’ First Amendment rights.
Not all school administrators are capitulating to Trump and his lackeys in Washington, essentially telling the bully-in-chief to go pound salt. Check out this response, published on Facebook, by a school superintendent who declined (for obvious reasons) to be identified:
“April 8, 2025: To Whom It May (Unfortunately) Concern at the U.S. Department of Education:
“Thank you for your April 3 memorandum, which I read several times — not because it was legally persuasive, but because I kept checking to see if it was satire. Alas, it appears you are serious.
“You’ve asked me, as superintendent of a public school district, to sign a “certification” declaring that we are not violating federal civil rights law — by, apparently, acknowledging that civil rights issues still exist. You cite Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, then proceed to argue that offering targeted support to historically marginalized students is somehow discriminatory.
“That’s not just legally incoherent — it’s a philosophical Möbius strip of bad faith. Let me see if I understand your logic:
“If we acknowledge racial disparities, that’s racism.
“If we help English learners catch up, that’s favoritism.
“If we give a disabled child a reading aide, we’re denying someone else the chance to struggle equally.
“And if we train teachers to understand bias, we’re indoctrinating them — but if we train them to ignore it, we’re “restoring neutrality”?
“How convenient that your sudden concern for “equal treatment” seems to apply only when it’s used to silence conversations about race, identity, or inequality.
“Let’s talk about our English learners. Would you like us to stop offering translation services during parent-teacher conferences? Should we cancel bilingual support staff to avoid the appearance of “special treatment”? Or would you prefer we just teach all content in English and hope for the best, since acknowledging linguistic barriers now counts as discrimination?
“And while we’re at it — what’s your official stance on IEPs? Because last I checked, individualized education plans intentionally give students with disabilities extra support.
“Should we start removing accommodations to avoid offending the able-bodied majority? Maybe cancel occupational Therapy altogether so no one feels left out? If a student with a learning disability receives extended time on a test, should we now give everyone extended time, even if they don’t need it? Just to keep the playing field sufficiently flat and unthinking?
“Your letter paints equity as a threat. But equity is not the threat. It’s the antidote to decades of failure. Equity is what ensures all students have a fair shot. Equity is what makes it possible for a child with a speech impediment to present at the science fair. It’s what helps the nonverbal kindergartner use an AAC device. It’s what gets the newcomer from Ukraine the ESL support she needs without being left behind.
“And let’s not skip past the most insulting part of your directive — the ten-day deadline. A national directive sent to thousands of districts with the subtlety of a ransom note, demanding signatures within a week and a half or else you’ll cut funding that supports… wait for it… low-income students, disabled students, and English learners.
“Brilliant. Just brilliant. A moral victory for bullies and bureaucrats everywhere. So no, we will not be signing your “certification.” We are not interested in joining your theater of compliance. We are not interested in gutting equity programs that serve actual children in exchange for your political approval. We are not interested in abandoning our legal, ethical, and educational responsibilities to satisfy your fear of facts.
“We are interested in teaching the truth. We are interested in honoring our students’ identities. We are interested in building a school system where no child is invisible, and no teacher is punished for caring too much.
“And yes — we are prepared to fight this. In the courts. In the press. In the community. In Congress, if need be. Because this district will not be remembered as the one that folded under pressure. We will be remembered as the one that stood its ground — not for politics, but for kids.
“Sincerely,
“District Superintendent Still Teaching. Still Caring. Still Not Signing.”
That’s what we need, folks — public officials with integrity and the courage to stand up to the bully that ignorant MAGATs sent to the White House. I applaud this public school superintendent and hope many more will be inspired to resist this kind of tyrannical stupidity as well.
