OLYMPIA, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Washington State Superintendent is pushing back against the Trump Administration’s order to end DEI initiatives in public schools.

Chris Reykdal said in a statement on Tuesday that he will not sign any further attempt to stop the state’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices.

It came in response to a letter sent out last week by the U.S. Department of Education threatening to withhold federal education funding from states unless they comply with the order.

Reykdal claims the department is using its broad interpretation of federal civil rights guidelines to erase DEI practices that empower marginalized students. He says his office has already proven its compliance with long-standing federal requirements.

Reykdal went on to claim that the Department of Education does not have the legal authority to enforce its ultimatum.