By Taylor Richmond

Washington State Journal

Diversity, equity and inclusion programs in Washington state are not going anywhere, Gov. Bob Ferguson insisted recently in back-to-back press conferences.

“Washington State will continue to use state dollars to prompt anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Ferguson. “These values improve our government.”

Even with a projected budget deficit of around $15 billion over the next four years, Ferguson believes it is in the state’s best interests to preserve DEI training and programs. They ensure legislators consider all people, not just those who have access to government or can afford a lobbyist, he said.

“We will ensure that our government represents all Washingtonians,” Ferguson said, “including those who have been historically marginalized and underrepresented.”

DEI programs are under attack at the federal level. On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to shut down all federal DEI programs, calling them “discrimination.” Now, most workers and contractors who served in those offices have lost their jobs.

Ferguson threatened legal action if Trump went against laws put forth by Congress that “explicitly acknowledge the goals of diversity and inclusivity.” This threat is reinforced by four lawsuits by Attorney General Nick Brown to block some of Trump’s policies.

One lawsuit is part of a 22-state coalition seeking to stop the Trump administration from freezing federal funding. According to Ferguson, $162 million of Washington’s federal funds are frozen, including $156 million from the Solar for All program, a program established in 2024 to provide solar energy to low-income and disadvantaged communities.

The funds were frozen even after a block on Trump’s order to stop all government grants and loans was put in place in late January, and extended in late February, by U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan.

According to Ferguson, the funding freeze reveals how little Trump is willing to work with states that do not share his worldview, and Ferguson said he is very aware of Trump’s penchant for retaliation.

“Things could happen as a result of an action that we take,” he said. “What’s core is preserving Washington’s values and standing up for all Washingtonians – their civil rights and their freedoms. I can’t let other factors deviate me from that.”

Ferguson hopes to keep the state moving forward, he said, while dealing with the “chaos” from Washington, D.C.

The Washington State Journal is a nonprofit news website operated by the WNPA Foundation. To learn more, go to www.wastatejournal.com.