In a letter dated February 28, 2025, the New Mexico Supreme Court (NMSC) publicly declared its support for “DEI.” This post explores why that is a problem. A copy of the NMSC’s letter is below.
First, the definition of DEI. According to Merriam-Webster, DEI is an acronym for “diversity, equity, and inclusion.” It is defined as: “a set of values and related policies and practices focused on establishing a group culture of equitable and inclusive treatment and on attracting and retaining a diverse group of participants, including people who have historically been excluded or discriminated against.” Merriam-Webster provides this example: “Through our continued focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, we are increasing the number of female attorneys, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community in the leadership pipeline.” (Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/diversity,%20equity%20and%20inclusion)
In short, DEI is the perceived need to increase the participation of certain marginalized groups in society. This post does not argue for, or against, DEI initiatives. Rather, it argues it is fundamentally improper for the courts to implement such initiatives, given the court’s role as impartial adjudicators.
1. “DEI” is a political initiative and courts should remain apolitical
DEI and DEI initiatives are political creatures. Legally-speaking, there is no body of “DEI law.” There are no “DEI statutes” nor “DEI case law.” To the extent there is related law, it is scattered and of recent creation. That’s because “DEI” is a political invention.
While there have been anti-discrimination laws since the 1964 Civil Rights Act, DEI initiatives are different. The 1964 Civil Rights Act outlawed discrimination in employment, public accommodations, and other public venues.
DEI, on the other hand, is not anti-discrimination. DEI is pro-discrimination, in that it promotes discrimination in favor of certain marginalized groups that are perceived to be in need.
Courts have an ethical and legal obligation to avoid political questions, in fact, it is known as the “political question doctrine.” According to the Legal Information Institute, at Cornell Law School, the “political question doctrine is the rule that federal courts will refuse to hear a case if they find that it presents a political question. This doctrine refers to the idea that an issue is so politically charged that federal courts, which are typically viewed as the apolitical branch of government, should not hear the issue…” Although this definition specifies “federal” courts, most state courts adhere to the same principle of refraining from involving themselves in political issues, in part, because our courts protect individual rights, not political persuasions or political mobs. (Source: https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/political_question_doctrine)
2. DEI is contrary to the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause.
The 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution contains what is known as the Equal Protection Clause: “No State shall … deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.” It mandates that individuals in similar situations be treated equally by the law. (Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equal_Protection_Clause)
Historically, the equal protection clause has ensured that two individuals are treated the same by the government and the courts, regardless of race, ethnicity, sex, or gender etc.
However, DEI uproots those historical principles and advocates for an entirely new framework: discrimination between two otherwise “equal” individuals as permissible when deemed permissible under DEI principles, whatever they may be.
3. If courts implement DEI initiatives, it will lead to disparate and unfair outcomes.
When a student enrolls in law school, they are taught the fundamentals of law. How to read, write, and think from a legal perspective. In other words, they are taught to “think like a lawyer.” This is because the law requires a certain type of thinking. Legal thinking is rational and unemotional. It is always fixated primarily on two things, the “facts” and the “law.”
This rigid adherence to the “facts” and “law” is vital because it helps ensure fair and impartial application of the law. All individuals are judged by the same standard, the facts of their case, and equal application of the law. Attorneys may differ on the “facts” or the “law,” but if legal analysis steps outside these two parameters, the law becomes much less predicable and runs the risk of become partial and unfair.
The problem with DEI, put most simply, is that it runs afoul of the facts and the law, and quickly becomes unpredictable. Who decides what type of diversity, equity or inclusion is favorable? Does “diversity” refer to racial, economic, or geographical diversity? If racial diversity, does it favor african-americans, hispanic-americans, native-americans, asian-americans, or arab-americans? Why one over the other, particularly when each of these racial groups has been historically disenfranchied at some point or another? What amount of “equity” is permissible as a solution, and under what conditions? What amount of “inclusion?” Who decides what these terms mean and what precisely do they mean?
4. The EEOC has itself warned about DEI initiatives to the extent that it discriminates on the basis of race, sex, or other protected classes.
According to the EEOC, DEI initiatives are potentially discriminatory. “DEI initiatives, policies, programs, or practices may be unlawful if they involve an employer or other covered entity taking an employment action motivated—in whole or in part—by an employee’s or applicant’s race, sex, or another protected characteristic.” (Source: https://www.eeoc.gov/wysk/what-you-should-know-about-dei-related-discrimination-work)
4. The far-reaching impacts of DEI initiatives.
Affirmative action was tailored to education. However, DEI initiatives go far further. DEI proponents advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion at all levels of life and society, in education, work, hiring preferences, even in courts, such as the NMSC’s public support for DEI.
5. That the NMSC has seen fit to wade into a politically-charged issue like DEI speaks to its increasing political corruption.
Why did the NMSC see fit to officially voice its support for DEI? What studies or analysis was performed, if any, before its proclamation? Who lobbied the NMSC for support of DEI?
Obviously, the NMSC’s written proclamation of DEI was not by accident. There is no legal precedent, such as case law or statutory authority, to support the NMSC’s interpretations or implementation of DEI initiatives.
As a result, it can be surmised that the NMSC’s proclamation of DEI was based on political grounds. In other words, the NMSC acted politically, without legal authority or guidance, in proclaiming support for DEI. It proclaimed support for DEI because of perceived popular support for DEI, or worse, perceived political support for DEI on the left.
Either way, as explained in detail above, the NMSC’s wading into political issues is legally improper, and is dangerous, reckless, and inappropriate given the court’s obligation to remain impartial and fair adjudicators under the law, which includes the 14th Amendment’s equal protection clause.
