Trump administration alleges LAUSD discriminates against white students - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Times

by Howard Blume

February 19, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Justice has filed a motion to join a federal lawsuit accusing the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) of discriminating against white students through its decades-old desegregation policy. The policy provides additional resources, such as smaller class sizes and priority access to magnet programs, to predominantly minority schools while excluding campuses with larger white student populations. The lawsuit, filed by the 1776 Project Foundation in January, argues that this approach violates both California and federal constitutional protections against racial discrimination. The Justice Department’s involvement is based on its interpretation of antidiscrimination laws, which it claims are being violated by programs specifically targeting students of color. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon stated that such policies “treat students based on their race as though they have learning disabilities,” adding that the Civil Rights Division will fight to ensure equal treatment under the law. The LAUSD has defended its approach, emphasizing its commitment to providing meaningful access to services and educational opportunities for all students. Critics argue that the lawsuit is part of a broader effort to dismantle civil rights protections in schools. Nick Melvoin, an LA school board member, called the Justice Department’s intervention “misdirected” and “part of a larger push to roll back progress made for students of color.” The suit also claims that 600 campuses benefit from these policies, while only about 100 do not. Pedro Noguera, dean of USC’s Rossier School of Education, criticized the lawsuit as an “increasingly common” tactic by conservative groups aiming to undermine diversity and equity initiatives. This case highlights ongoing tensions over

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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/19/2026