A U.S. judge in Maryland has blocked former President Donald Trump’s administration from ending federal grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The ruling came after Trump signed executive orders to remove DEI programs and prevent contractors from supporting them.

Judge Adam Abelson ruled that the orders likely violate the U.S. Constitution, including free speech rights. He stated that these rules could unfairly stop businesses, schools, and organizations from promoting diversity and inclusion.

Abelson highlighted concerns about how the orders could be misused. For example, he questioned whether a school could lose funding if a teacher used government resources to teach about historical racial discrimination.

Although the judge allowed investigations into DEI practices, he blocked the enforcement of Trump’s executive orders. This means federal grants related to DEI can continue for now.