REP. ADAMS BLASTS
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S
‘END DEI’ PORTAL
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Amid President Donald Trump’s promise to close the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) has blasted the administration for essential installing a tip line, otherwise known as an “End DEI portal," “…where the public can make complaints about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in K-12 public schools as the Trump administration works to purge DEI from the government,” according to The Hill.
“The Trump Administration is once again using the federal government to attack teachers, students, and schools that dare to promote fairness and inclusion,” Congresswoman Adams, Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee and founding Chairwoman of the Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus, said in a statement. “This so-called ‘tip line’ is a shameless attempt to silence educators and dismantle programs that ensure every child—no matter their race, gender, or background—has a fair shot at success. Instead of working to strengthen our public schools, Trump is weaponizing the Department of Education to push a political agenda.”
Rep. Adams continued, “I won’t stand by while they use the Department of Education as a tool for division and fear. Our public schools should be places where every child feels seen, valued, and supported. "This Administration should be more focused on ending the disparities in our education system. Where is the 'tip line' for that?"
The “End DEI” portal was announced Feb. 27th, just as K-12 public schools and universities were supposed to end their DEI policies and practices after a two-week deadline.
Meanwhile, Rep. Adams has praised the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture for reversing its earlier decision to suspend its 1890 National Scholars Program for Black students studying agriculture at 19 historically Black colleges and universities.
According to a February 21st story in the Economic Times,”… the 1890 National Scholars Program, [is] a significant initiative that provided scholarships to students attending HBCUs. This program aimed to support students from rural and underserved communities pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields.”
USDA has decided to extend its application deadline for the program until March 15th.
"I'm pleased the [USDA}Secretary has lifted the suspension of and reopened the application for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program,” Rep. Adams said in a statement. “This program has been in place since 1992, and I hope we can work together to address the real challenges and real opportunities for our 1890s [students] and our HBCUs."
North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro is one of the 19 schools affected. Todd H. Simmons, spokesperson for NC A&T University, issued the following statement last week immediately after the USDA reversed its decision:
At North Carolina A&T, we have had 104 scholar participants in the 1890 National Honors Scholarship Program since its establishment. We have 20 current scholars, and have been assured their funding will remain intact. We are discussing this important program with the UNC System and our elected representatives and are hopeful that support for the program’s future will be fully restored.
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BLACK DEMOCRATIC STATE
LAWMAKERS OPPOSE NEW
ANTI-DEI BILL
By Cash Michaels
Contributing writer
Not only do Black state Democratic lawmakers oppose passage of a proposed Republican-sponsored anti-DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) measure introduced in the NC House recently, they fear it.
“[This bill could]…impeach me from office because I’m Black,” charged state Sen. Kandie Smith (D - Greenville), chair of the NC Legislative Black Caucus, during a Feb. 27th press conference.
“If I’m teaching anybody about how I grew up, what I learned in life — as far as me and my ancestors — I can be impeached," Sen. Smith continued.
House Bill 171, if ratified by the NC General Assembly, not only would outlaw all of state and local governments from implementing any DEI policies and practices, imposing criminal penalties if prohibition is violated, but also states that elected officials could be impeached for failure to comply with the law.
“A State officer or employee who violates this section [of the law] is subject to removal from office or employment," HB 171 states under section 126-14.7
Because the measure is sponsored by House Majority Leader Brenden Jones (R- Tabor City), observers say it is expected to sail through committee quickly before being ratified by the full House, then sent to the state Senate.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R) says he also supports the measure. Meanwhile, House Democrats counter that Republicans overall are pushing anti-DEI bills to distract from the damage they’re doing to the government, both in Washington and in Raleigh.
The only leverage Democrats have legislatively is that Republicans in the House do not have a supermajority, meaning that they cannot override a veto from Gov. Josh Stein, unless they’re able to cajole at least one Democrat to join them. That means all House Democrats have to be present for ever House session, and stick together if a veto override vote is taken.
Over in the state Senate on Monday, the top Republican has filed Senate Bill 227 titled "Eliminating DEI in Public Education." Senate pro term Republican leader Phil Berger said in a press release, “We cannot teach our nation’s history without acknowledging our past. But we can teach history without forcing our educators and students to embrace and adopt ideologies inconsistent with equality.”
Also on Monday night, the full US Senate confirmed the nomination by Pres. Trump of North Carolina native and World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. founder Linda McMahon to become secretary of the US Dept. of Education.
Ms. McMahon, 76, will be tasked with helping to close the federal agency down during her tenure.
Published reports indicate that North Carolina Republicans are considering duplicating the DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) Washington, DC efforts pushed by billionaire Elon Musk to also purge state government of alleged waste, fraud and abuse.
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