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 and provides clarity for any employer to better understand what could be “Illegal DEI.” Some of this guidance – such as advising against using socioeconomic or geographic considerations – may surprise you. Learn more about the DOJ’s recent guidance in this article by Venable.