A federal judge on Thursday paused the Trump administration's threats to withhold funding from school systems that have diversity, equity and inclusion programs, saying the actions "raise the specter of a public 'witch hunt' that will sow fear and doubt among teachers."

The preliminary injunction came in a lawsuit brought against the U.S. Department of Education in March by the National Education Association, its New Hampshire affiliate, and the Center for Black Educator Development.

Although the plaintiffs had requested a nationwide injunction, the ruling applies only to school systems receiving federal funding that employ or contract with the lawsuit's plaintiffs or plaintiffs’ members. Still, since that covers NEA's 3 million members, the ruling's reach is wide.

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