Justice Department Ends 57 School Desegregation Cases, Concentrating Nearly 80% in 5 Southern States
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 25
Justice Department Ends 57 School Desegregation Cases, Concentrating Nearly 80% in 5 Southern States
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 25
Summary
Fifty-seven desegregation orders have been dismissed since the start of President Trump’s second term, ending the Justice Department’s watchdog role in school systems mostly across the Deep South.
Nearly 80% of the cases were in five Southern states: Georgia had 15, Mississippi 13, Louisiana 11, Alabama five and South Carolina one, with five more in Florida and single cases in seven other states.
The move marks a major step in the administration’s effort to overhaul civil rights enforcement, with Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall calling the orders “outdated” and urging an end to remaining decrees.
Civil rights groups including the NAACP argue the orders still matter because they can require equal funding, better facilities and fair access to advanced placement programs, not just racial balance in classrooms.