In the three-and-a-half weeks since
Donald Trump returned to the presidency, investigations by the agency that
handles allegations of civil rights violations in the nation’s schools and
colleges have ground to a halt.
At the same time, there’s been a
dramatic drop in the number of new cases opened by the U.S. Department of
Education’s Office for Civil Rights — and the few that attorneys have been
directed to investigate reflect some of Trump’s priorities: getting rid of
gender-neutral bathrooms, banning transgender athletes from participating in
women’s sports and alleged antisemitism or discrimination against white
students.
The OCR has opened about 20 new
investigations since Trump’s inauguration, sources inside the department told
ProPublica, a low number compared with similar periods in previous years.
During the first three weeks of the Biden administration, for instance, the
office opened about 110 new investigations into discrimination based on race,
gender, national origin or disability, the office’s historic priorities. More
than 250 new cases were opened in the same time period last year.
Historically, the bulk of
investigations in the office have been launched after students or their
families file complaints. Since Trump took office, the focus has shifted to
“directed investigations,” meaning that the Trump administration has ordered
those inquiries.
“We have not been able to open any
(investigations) that come from the public,” said one longtime OCR attorney who
asked not to be named for fear of losing their job.
Several employees told ProPublica
that they have been told not to communicate with the students, families and
schools involved in cases launched in previous administrations and to cancel
scheduled meetings and mediations. “We’ve been essentially muzzled,” the
attorney said.
What We’re Watching
During Donald Trump’s second
presidency, ProPublica will focus on the areas most in need of scrutiny. Here
are some of the issues our reporters will be watching — and how to get in touch
with them securely…
-Jennifer Smith
Richards and Jodi S. Cohen for
ProPublica
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