New York education officials, led by Deputy Commissioner Daniel Morton-Bentley, rejected demands from the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools. They argue that there are no laws prohibiting DEI principles and question the Education Department's authority to withhold funding. The administration's recent order to K-12 schools requires compliance with civil rights laws, threatening to cut federal funding that constitutes about 6% of New York's school budget. Critics view the demand as an abrupt policy shift from previous government positions on DEI.