Week One's DEI Executive Orders: What Higher Education Institutions Need To Know

As anticipated, the second Trump Administration began with the release of numerous executive orders. In this client alert, part of Jenner & Block's "First 100 Days" series, we unpack three orders that target diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across American society—including in higher education. We summarize the key provisions for colleges and universities, discuss what likely comes next, and suggest steps to take now. As we explain below, how the federal government will implement these broad directives remains to be seen. And those implementation efforts may be vulnerable to legal challenge as they take shape.

Executive Order Targeting DEI Programs of Federal Contractors and Grant Recipients