A federal judge has permanently blocked two directives from the Trump administration aimed at eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in U.S. schools and universities. The court ruled that the Department of Education acted unlawfully when it threatened to withhold federal funding from institutions that continue DEI initiatives. This legal decision follows a lawsuit filed by three national teacher unions, including one led by Randi Weingarten, challenging the administration's nondiscrimination guidance. Meanwhile, the Trump administration is also facing criticism for terminating the contracts of over 400,000 Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) workers, many of whom are veterans themselves. This move has been described as union-busting and is seen as an effort to privatize and reduce care for veterans, particularly affecting those in rural areas. Unions and lawmakers have rallied in support of VA workers, demanding the restoration of collective bargaining rights after the administration ended these contracts and previously fired 80,000 VA employees earlier in the year. The administration's actions have drawn condemnation from labor organizations, which argue that these attacks undermine the people who provide essential services to veterans and communities.