Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has reportedly moved its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office to a restricted floor, raising questions about its accountability and transparency. According to America First Legal, a pro-Trump legal group, the move is an attempt to ‘evade accountability’ and continue its DEI initiatives despite the Trump administration’s crackdown on such measures. The university relocated the office from a publicly accessible location on the first floor of the North Medical Building to the 12th floor of the Mid Campus center, which is described as a restricted-access floor not listed in the school’s official floor plan.
The legal group claims that the university is not dismantling its DEI regime but instead hiding it behind closed doors. America First Legal asserts that this is a deliberate act of defiance against federal laws and the Supreme Court’s stance against racial discrimination. A committee, reportedly convened to rebrand and continue DEI efforts under a new name, has been working on developing ‘guidance in support of Inclusive Excellence’ at the university. The school itself has described the initiative as a way to maintain its community-focused goals while continuing to comply with federal guidance and laws.
This relocation has sparked wider discussions about the status of DEI in higher education, particularly during the Trump administration’s campaign to curtail such programs. As DEI measures face increasing scrutiny, experts argue that institutions will not abandon them but will instead rebrand their efforts. Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild noted that entities across the country will likely continue to push for DEI initiatives under new names rather than abandon them altogether. This strategy is seen as a way to avoid legal consequences while still implementing the same underlying policies.
In addition to the recent relocation, Washington University has faced past controversies regarding its DEI initiatives. Previous allegations have included claims that the school taught curriculum steeped in racism, promoted the use of puberty blockers for children, and had a lecturer warning students against debating systemic oppression. In September, America First Legal filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice, calling the university’s DEI regime the ‘most egregious, systemic, and unlawful’ in the nation. The legal group also alleged that millions of taxpayer dollars were funneled through the Biden administration to support these policies.
As the legal battle unfolds, Washington University has not provided a formal response to the allegations, despite multiple requests for comment from Fox News Digital. America First Legal President Gene Hamilton emphasized that the law is clear on the prohibition of racial discrimination, and that institutions defying this principle will face serious legal consequences. This ongoing dispute highlights the broader tensions around DEI in education and the legal challenges faced by universities in the wake of the Trump administration’s policies.