Georgetown Law Challenges U.S. Attorney's Threat Over DEI Policies

The law school's dean rebuked a demand from Trump-appointed prosecutor Ed Martin, citing First Amendment protections and the university's Jesuit mission.

Interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martin warned Georgetown Law that its graduates would be barred from employment in his office unless the school eliminated diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts.
Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor strongly rejected Martin's demands, emphasizing the constitutional protections of academic freedom and the university's Jesuit values of inclusivity and dialogue.
Treanor's response highlighted that the Department of Education and Supreme Court have consistently upheld universities' rights to determine their own curricula.
Martin, a controversial Trump appointee, has faced criticism for politicizing his role, including a recent Senate Judiciary Committee complaint alleging misuse of prosecutorial powers.
Legal experts and commentators widely agree that Martin's threat violates the First Amendment, drawing comparisons to hypothetical government overreach targeting other ideological teachings.