DOJ Releases DEI Guidance for Recipients of Federal Funds
On July 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice issued new guidance on how diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs intersect with federal anti-discrimination laws. The guidance outlines examples of potentially unlawful practices that could jeopardize an organization’s eligibility for federal grants—particularly those that may exclude individuals based on protected characteristics.
The guidance offers “best practices” to help federally funded entities avoid legal violations, though these are advisory rather than mandatory. Some of this guidance – such advising against using socioeconomic or geographical considerations – may surprise you. Learn more about what the federal government now considers to be illegal DEI in this article by Jackson Lewis.