Trump Administration Seeks to Join Lawsuit Against LAUSD

DOJ alleges LA school district's race-based funding program is unlawful discrimination.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The U.S. Department of Justice has asked a court to allow the Trump administration to join a lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District. The lawsuit, filed by a conservative education nonprofit, accuses LAUSD of unlawfully discriminating against students based on race through its Predominantly Hispanic, Black, Asian or other Non-Anglo (PHBAO) program, which determines funding and resource allocations.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing tensions around race-conscious policies in education, with the Trump administration siding with a conservative group that alleges LAUSD's program violates principles of equal treatment. The outcome could set precedents around the legality of race-based programs intended to address educational disparities.

The details

The DOJ alleges the PHBAO program categorizes schools based on student demographics and provides more funding and resources to those with less than 30% white enrollment. The initial lawsuit was filed by the 1776 Project Foundation, a conservative nonprofit, in January. The DOJ claims the program is 'unlawful and un-American' and that 'Los Angeles County students should never be classified or treated differently because of their race.'

  • The initial lawsuit was filed by the 1776 Project Foundation in January 2026.
  • The DOJ asked to join the lawsuit on February 19, 2026.

The players

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

The federal agency that has asked to join the lawsuit against LAUSD, alleging the district's race-based funding program is unlawful discrimination.

1776 Project Foundation

A conservative education nonprofit that filed the initial lawsuit against LAUSD, accusing the district of racial discrimination through its PHBAO program.

Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)

The school district being sued over its PHBAO program, which categorizes schools based on student demographics and allocates funding accordingly.

Pamela Bondi

The Attorney General who stated that 'Treating Americans equally is not a suggestion — it is a core constitutional guarantee that educational institutions must follow.'

Harmeet K. Dhillon

The Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division who said 'Los Angeles County students should never be classified or treated differently because of their race.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Treating Americans equally is not a suggestion — it is a core constitutional guarantee that educational institutions must follow.”

— Pamela Bondi, Attorney General (DOJ statement)

“Los Angeles County students should never be classified or treated differently because of their race. Yet this school district is doing exactly that by providing benefits that treat students — based on their race — as though they have learning disabilities.”

— Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division (DOJ statement)

What’s next

The court will decide whether to allow the Trump administration to join the existing lawsuit against LAUSD.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing national debate over the use of race-conscious policies in education, with the Trump administration siding with a conservative group that alleges LAUSD's program violates principles of equal treatment. The outcome could set important precedents around the legality of such programs intended to address educational disparities.