Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump
Defending Equity and Opportunity for Women in the Skilled Trades
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law represents Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) in a federal lawsuit challenging unlawful executive orders that threaten diversity, equity, and inclusion programs nationwide and the economic security of women—especially Black and Latina women—working to enter skilled trades. Read the Complaint
The Issue
What’s at Stake
In February 2025, Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT) filed suit challenging executive orders that restrict and chill Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and require federal grantees to certify they do not operate so-called “illegal DEI” programs—without defining what conduct is prohibited.
Because CWIT relies on federal funding to provide training and workforce pathways, these orders threatened to dismantle programs that have opened doors for women for over 40 years and placed their mission, speech, and funding at risk. Learn more about CWIT
About the Case
Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump
CWIT prepares women across the country—70% of whom are Black and Latina—to enter and thrive in high-wage construction and skilled trade careers, fields where women remain dramatically underrepresented.
The lawsuit challenges executive actions that:
- Cancel or threaten “equity-related” federal grants
- Require unconstitutional anti-DEI certifications as a condition of receiving funding under penalty of civil and criminal liability
- Chill protected speech and advocacy
- Weaken civil rights protections designed to expand opportunity
The case argues that these orders violate the First Amendment, exceed executive authority, and unlawfully obstruct congressionally authorized funding.
Read the full press release announcing the lawsuit
About the Case
Chicago Women in Trades v. Trump
CWIT prepares women across the country—70% of whom are Black and Latina—to enter and thrive in high-wage construction and skilled trade careers, fields where women remain dramatically underrepresented.
The lawsuit challenges executive actions that:
- Cancel or threaten “equity-related” federal grants
- Require unconstitutional anti-DEI certifications as a condition of receiving funding under penalty of civil and criminal liability
- Chill protected speech and advocacy
- Weaken civil rights protections designed to expand opportunity
The case argues that these orders violate the First Amendment right to free speech, exceed executive authority, and unlawfully obstruct congressionally authorized funding.
Read the full press release announcing the lawsuit
Court Victories
Nationwide Injunctions Protecting DEI Programs
Temporary Restraining Order (March 2025) The court blocked enforcement of key provisions of the executive orders, protecting CWIT’s grants and prohibiting the DOL from requiring anti-DEI certifications nationwide. Learn more
Preliminary Injunction (April 2025) The court entered an order stopping the DOL from cancelling CWIT’s funding and enforcing the anti-DEI certification requirement nationwide. Learn more
Nationwide Injunction Reaffirmed (October 2025) The court rejected the government’s attempt to limit the scope of the court’s prior injunction and reaffirmed that DOL is prohibited from enforcing the anti-DEI certification requirement as to all grantees and contractors nationwide in order to provide CWIT with complete relief. Learn More
Amicus Support
Seventeen state attorneys general—from Illinois, California, Massachusetts, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington—filed an amicus brief in the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals supporting CWIT and opposing the unconstitutional restrictions on equity programs. Additional amicus briefs supporting CWIT were filed by private construction contractors, private employers, and non-profit organizations dedicated to achieving economic equity. Learn More
Our Role
Economic Justice Project
The case was brought by the Lawyers’ Committee’s Economic Justice Project, a practice group that uses impact litigation, policy advocacy, and community education to dismantle barriers to economic opportunity faced by Black communities and other communities of color. Learn more
CWIT is represented by:
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Crowell & Moring LLP (pro bono)
- Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
- National Women’s Law Center
- LatinoJustice PRLDEF
PRESS STATEMENTS
- Civil Rights Groups Sue Trump Administration to Challenge Anti-DEI Executive Orders on Behalf of Nonprofit Serving Diverse Group of Women in the Skilled Trades |February 26, 2025
- Statement from Lawyers’ Committee Senior Counsel Sabrina Talukder on Temporary Restraining Order in Anti-DEI Executive Orders Case| March 28, 2025
- Statement from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law on the preliminary injunction issued in CWIT case regarding anti-DEI Executive Orders | April 15, 2025
LATEST MEDIA HIGHLIGHTS
Listen to the full podcast episode on NPR featuring Andrea Hsu and Chicago Women in Trades (CWIT). The episode highlights CWIT graduates and instructors, including Kaylee Jensen, who discovered plumbing through our pre-apprenticeship program, and veteran carpenter Kina McAfee.
The story examines a growing policy contradiction: promoting the skilled trades while dismantling the programs and protections that have helped women enter and succeed in construction.
Take Action
Stand With Women in the Trades
Help defend civil rights, free speech, and equal opportunity.
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Photo Credit: John Konstantaras for AP Images / Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law