SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Governor Tina Kotek defied President Trump on Friday, urging schools to maintain their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and “hold the line,” the Associated Press reported. The move sets up a potential clash with the Trump administration, which has increasingly targeted DEI initiatives as discriminatory.
Kotek, a Democrat known for her progressive stance, is resisting what appears to be a federal push to dismantle DEI in public institutions. The Trump administration has labeled race-based preferences “immoral,” as seen in recent actions like the IRS scrutiny of the Gates Foundation for alleged discrimination. In schools, DEI programs promote inclusivity through training and support for marginalized students, but conservatives argue they foster division.
Oregon, a progressive stronghold, has integrated DEI into its education system, particularly in districts like Portland, with initiatives supporting Black, Indigenous, and LGBTQ+ students. Kotek’s call to “hold the line” anticipates federal pressure, possibly through funding cuts or legal challenges. The Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling against racial preferences in college admissions could bolster Trump’s case, though K-12 schools face different legal standards.
The standoff risks significant consequences. The Department of Education might withhold federal funds, straining Oregon’s already challenged school system, which faces teacher shortages and declining test scores. However, Kotek’s defiance could inspire other blue states to resist, creating a patchwork of DEI policies nationwide.
This clash comes amid broader tensions, including Trump’s 104% tariffs on Chinese imports, the SAVE Act, and the Hudson River helicopter crash that killed six. Kotek’s stand highlights the divide between progressive states and Trump’s “America First” agenda, with education policy now a battleground. As the fight unfolds, its impact on schools and state-federal relations will be closely watched.
