Rep. Adams Blasts Trump Administration’s ‘End DEI’ Portal
“A shameless attempt to silence educators and dismantle programs that ensure every child has a fair shot at success.”
By Cash Michaels –
Amid President Donald Trump’s promise to close the US Department of Education (DOE), Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC-12) has blasted the administration for essentially installing a tip line, otherwise known as an “End DEI portal,” “…where the public can make complaints about diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices in K-12 public schools as the Trump administration works to purge DEI from the government,” according to The Hill.
“The Trump Administration is once again using the federal government to attack teachers, students, and schools that dare to promote fairness and inclusion,” said Congresswoman Adams, Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee and founding Chairwoman of the bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) caucus. “This so-called ‘tip line’ is a shameless attempt to silence educators and dismantle programs that ensure every child—no matter their race, gender, or background—has a fair shot at success. Instead of working to strengthen our public schools, Trump is weaponizing the Department of Education to push a political agenda.”
Rep. Adams continued, “I won’t stand by while they use the Department of Education as a tool for division and fear. Our public schools should be places where every child feels seen, valued, and supported. “This Administration should be more focused on ending the disparities in our education system. Where is the ‘tip line’ for that?”
The “End DEI” portal was announced February 27, 2025, just as K-12 public schools and universities were supposed to end their DEI policies and practices after a two-week deadline.
Meanwhile, Rep. Adams has praised the US Dept. of Agriculture for reversing its earlier decision to suspend its 1890 National Scholars Program for Black students studying agriculture at 19 historically Black colleges and universities.
According to a February 21, 2025 story in the Economic Times, “… the 1890 National Scholars Program, [is] a significant initiative that provided scholarships to students attending HBCUs. This program aimed to support students from rural and underserved communities pursuing degrees in agriculture and related fields.”
The USDA has decided to extend its application deadline for the program until March 15, 2025.
“I’m pleased the [USDA]Secretary has lifted the suspension of and reopened the application for the USDA 1890 National Scholars Program,” Rep. Adams said in a statement. “This program has been in place since 1992, and I hope we can work together to address the real challenges and real opportunities for our 1890s [students] and our HBCUs.”
North Carolina A&T University in Greensboro is one of the 19 schools affected. Todd H. Simmons, spokesperson for NC A&T, issued the following statement last week, immediately after the USDA reversed its decision:
“At North Carolina A&T, we have had 104 scholar participants in the 1890 National Honors Scholarship Program since its establishment. We have 20 current scholars and have been assured their funding will remain intact. We are discussing this important program with the UNC system and our elected representatives and are hopeful that support for the program’s future will be fully restored.”
