Wisconsin joined nearly 20 states in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s cuts in federal funding for state education over diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs, Gov. Tony Evers announced on Monday.
The lawsuit, filed by Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul and the Democratic attorneys general of 18 other states on Friday, seeks to prevent cuts to more than $13.8 billion in annual federal funding school districts across the country receive if they maintain compliance with Title VI anti-discrimination provisions, including more than $550 million Wisconsin receives from the Department of Education.
If allowed to go through, the cuts would harm Wisconsin schools’ ability to keep smaller class sizes, recruit and retain teachers and improve student performance outcomes, Evers said in a statement.
“At a time when public schools across Wisconsin have been forced to go to referendum in record numbers due to years of legislative Republicans’ disinvestment, our kids and our schools simply cannot afford the Trump Administration’s reckless cuts and guts,” Evers said.
The Trump administration announced in February it would withhold federal funding for any K-12 school, including funding for programs for low-income students and students with disabilities, that did not end what it called “illegal DEI practices” and programs that differentiated students by race. Schools who continued to maintain DEI programs would no longer be in line with Title VI’s ban on discrimination based on race.
The move was blocked by federal judges in three separate cases on Thursday.
The lawsuit argues the Trump administration’s directive unlawfully imposed compliance requirements beyond what is outlined by Title VI.
Additionally, it argues attempts to cut funding already approved by the U.S. Congress infringes on constitutional checks and balances.
“It is unconscionable that Republicans in Congress — including Wisconsin’s own delegation — are abdicating their constitutional duties and responsibilities by doing nothing to stop the Trump Administration's efforts to undermine our constitutional checks and balances,” Evers said.
Earlier this month, state superintendent Jill Underly said Wisconsin schools would not comply with the federal directive to end DEI programs until districts have more information. Schools were given 10 days, which was extended to April 24, to comply or risk losing funding.
Francesca Pica is the editor-in-chief for The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as the city news editor. She has covered multiple municipal elections, state politics and is a leading reporter on Madison labor issues. She served as an intern for The Capital Times, currently serves as a WisPolitics intern and will also intern with the Wisconsin State Journal this summer.
Clara Strecker is the state news editor for The Daily Cardinal. She previously served as copy chief. Clara has written in-depth on the 2025 Wisconsin Supreme Court race, abortion rights and protests. She will spend the summer interning with WisPolitics. Follow her on X at @clara_strecker.
