Appeals Court Overturns Block on Trump's DEI Executive Orders

Federal appeals court vacates injunction against Trump administration policies aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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A federal appeals court on Friday overturned a lower court's injunction that had blocked President Trump's executive orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies in federal agencies and grant recipients. The 4th Circuit Court of Appeals panel ruled that the Biden-appointed judge's preliminary injunction was improper, allowing Trump's orders to take effect as the case continues through the legal system.

Why it matters

This ruling is a significant victory for the Trump administration's efforts to roll back DEI initiatives, which the former president viewed as discriminatory 'race-based' policies. The decision could have far-reaching implications for how the federal government and its contractors approach issues of diversity and inclusion going forward.

The details

In 2020, President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at eliminating DEI programs - one directed at federal agencies and the other targeted recipients of federal grants. Last year, a federal judge in Baltimore issued a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of these orders. However, the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals has now vacated that injunction, ruling that the lower court judge abused his discretion in granting the preliminary relief.

  • On November 22, 2020, President Trump signed the executive orders targeting DEI policies.
  • In 2021, a Biden-appointed federal judge in Baltimore issued a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of Trump's orders.
  • In 2022, a three-judge panel on the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals granted a stay of the preliminary injunction.
  • On February 6, 2026, the same 4th Circuit panel vacated the lower court's injunction.

The players

President Donald Trump

The former president who signed the executive orders aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in the federal government and among grant recipients.

Judge Adam Abelson

The Biden-appointed federal judge in Baltimore who initially issued a preliminary injunction blocking the implementation of Trump's DEI executive orders.

4th Circuit Court of Appeals

The federal appeals court that has now vacated the lower court's injunction, allowing Trump's DEI orders to take effect as the case continues.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The case will now return to the lower court for further proceedings on the merits of the challenge to Trump's DEI executive orders.

The takeaway

This ruling represents a significant victory for the Trump administration's efforts to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which the former president viewed as discriminatory 'race-based' policies. The decision could have far-reaching implications for how the federal government and its contractors approach these issues going forward.