American Bar Association decides to no longer enforce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion standard for law schools

The American Bar Association (ABA) has decided to put on hold its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) standard for law schools. This decision comes as a response to the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle all DEI-related programs and initiatives in the federal government.

The council of the ABA Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar made the decision to temporarily suspend Rule 206, the current DEI standard, until August 31. This pause allows time for a thorough review of a proposed revision to the rule. The vote to suspend the standard took place during the council’s quarterly meeting in San Antonio last Friday.

The standards committee within the council stated that it would carefully examine the proposed revisions in light of recent actions by the Trump administration. The goal is to ensure that the standard can be effectively enforced in compliance with the law.

President Donald Trump has taken executive action to gut the federal government of DEI programs. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

“Yesterday, the American Bar Association voted to suspend enforcement of Rule 206 – a DEI requirement for the student bodies and faculties of law schools,” Bondi wrote on X.

“This is a victory for common sense! We are bringing meritocracy back to the legal system.”

The Trump administration is on a mission to gut all programs and initiatives associated with DEI within the federal government, arguing it has lowered standards and promoted a woke agenda. In his first week back in office, Trump signed an executive order ending DEI offices and initiatives across the federal workforce. 

He followed those up with two executive orders banning “radical gender ideology” and DEI initiatives from all branches of the U.S. military.

Members of the ABA council’s managing director’s office will visit law schools this spring and provide written guidance. (Getty Images)

A federal judge on Friday granted a preliminary injunction for sections of the Trump administration’s executive orders on DEI, ruling that parts of the executive orders likely violate the Constitution and free speech rights.

The injunction largely blocks the sections of Trump’s orders that seek to end federal support for programs considered DEI-related and prevents the Trump administration from canceling contracts it believes promotes diversity, equity or inclusion. 

Reuters contributed to this report.