The Department of Education is pushing back hard against an Associated Press report that accused the Trump administration of rolling back protections and opportunities for Black students, calling the story’s framing both misleading and potentially harmful.
The dispute centers on a broader battle over race-based programs in public education, one that has intensified as the administration has moved aggressively against diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives it argues violate federal civil rights laws.
On Thursday, the Department of Education responded directly to the AP’s coverage, criticizing the outlet for portraying the issue as a conflict between racial groups.
“It’s typical of @AP to cast ED’s important civil rights investigations as black vs. white issues when we see students of ALL races struggle academically,” the department wrote on X.
The Associated Press article argued that federal agencies have historically played a major role in addressing racial discrimination and expanding educational opportunities for minority students. The report suggested that current administration policies represent a sharp departure from that approach, particularly regarding programs designed to improve outcomes for Black students.
According to the AP, administration officials have increasingly characterized race-focused initiatives as discriminatory, leading to investigations, funding disputes, and legal challenges involving school districts across the country.
This headline is inaccurate and dangerous. It’s typical of @AP to cast ED’s important civil rights investigations as black vs. white issues when we see students of ALL races struggle academically.
To allocate resources disproportionately to students of one race at the expense of… pic.twitter.com/RgQrre0pqD
— U.S. Department of Education (@usedgov) June 4, 2026
Among the examples highlighted were investigations into Chicago Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Chicago’s Black Student Success Program became a particular flashpoint. The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights concluded that the initiative violated federal anti-discrimination laws because it was designed specifically for Black students. As a result, approximately $20 million in federal funding was withheld.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon publicly defended the decision, arguing that programs funded with taxpayer dollars cannot exclude students based on race.
A similar investigation was launched into Los Angeles’ Black Student Achievement Plan, which was created to address academic performance gaps among Black students.
Supporters of such programs argue they are intended to address longstanding educational disparities and help students who have historically faced unique challenges. Critics counter that even well-intentioned programs cannot legally provide benefits or opportunities based on race alone.
That disagreement sits at the center of the administration’s response.
The Department of Education argued that allocating resources based on race violates the principle of equal treatment under the law.
“To allocate resources disproportionately to students of one race at the expense of others is not only a violation of civil rights law, but an infringement upon the basic fairness to which all students are entitled,” the department said.
The AP report also referenced actions taken by advocacy groups challenging race-based educational programs. In Los Angeles, complaints led district officials to modify aspects of their student support initiatives, shifting eligibility criteria away from race and toward factors such as absenteeism and academic performance.
The administration views those changes as evidence that schools can address educational challenges without explicitly using race as a determining factor.
