Louisiana Governor Calls for Expanded Federal Probe into DEI Practices at State Colleges

Landry requests investigation into all public universities, citing concerns over potential racial discrimination

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has formally requested that the U.S. Department of Education expand an existing Office for Civil Rights investigation into the state's Board of Regents to include all public colleges and universities in Louisiana. The probe is examining whether the Board's budget objectives and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives violate federal civil rights law by prioritizing students of certain races over others.

Why it matters

This move by Governor Landry reflects growing political tensions around DEI policies in higher education, with some conservatives arguing that such initiatives amount to unlawful racial discrimination. The outcome of the federal investigation could have significant implications for how Louisiana's public universities approach diversity and inclusion going forward.

The details

The existing Office for Civil Rights investigation was launched earlier this month and is focused on the Louisiana Board of Regents' Master Plan for Higher Education. Authorities are examining whether the board's budget objectives, which reportedly included performance targets prioritizing students of 'all races other than white and Asian,' violate Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Governor Landry has now requested that the probe be expanded to cover all public colleges and universities in the state, stating that 'discrimination against ANY student will not be tolerated.'

  • The Office for Civil Rights investigation into the Louisiana Board of Regents was launched earlier this month.
  • Governor Landry formally requested the expansion of the federal probe on February 23, 2026.

The players

Jeff Landry

The current Governor of Louisiana, who has requested the expansion of the federal investigation into DEI practices at the state's public colleges and universities.

Louisiana Board of Regents

The governing body for public higher education in Louisiana, whose Master Plan for Higher Education is the focus of the initial Office for Civil Rights investigation.

U.S. Department of Education

The federal agency overseeing the Office for Civil Rights investigation into potential civil rights violations related to DEI initiatives in Louisiana's public universities.

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What they’re saying

“Let me be clear: Louisiana is done with woke DEI policies. Discrimination against ANY student will not be tolerated.”

— Jeff Landry, Governor of Louisiana (WAFB)

What’s next

The U.S. Department of Education will decide whether to expand the existing Office for Civil Rights investigation to cover all of Louisiana's public colleges and universities, in response to Governor Landry's request.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing political debate over the role of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education, with some policymakers arguing that such programs can amount to unlawful discrimination. The outcome of the federal investigation in Louisiana could set an important precedent and influence how other states approach these issues.