The Justice Department has filed a lawsuit against the Minneapolis Public School District, alleging that its efforts to hire more teachers of color violate civil rights laws. The suit claims the district discriminates against teachers based on race, color, sex, and national origin.
According to the lawsuit, the district’s collective bargaining agreement with the teachers’ union gives preferential treatment to teachers from underrepresented communities. The agreement allows the district to bypass seniority rules when reassigning teachers, prioritize reinstatement of underrepresented teachers, and exempt them from layoffs. The Justice Department argues these provisions constitute discrimination against other teachers, despite the district’s stated goal of addressing inequities.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated that discrimination in hiring is unacceptable and emphasized that public schools should uphold merit and equal opportunity rather than DEI-focused policies. Diversity, equity, and inclusion, or DEI, aims to ensure fair treatment and participation for all, but has faced opposition from conservative lawmakers and activists who view it as giving unlawful advantages to certain racial groups.
The lawsuit reflects the Trump administration’s broader campaign against DEI initiatives in government and educational institutions, targeting policies it considers to violate federal law. The Justice Department’s action seeks to stop what it describes as race- and sex-based discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.