Georgetown Law School Dean William Treanor earned cheers Thursday from legal observers for his response to the acting U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., Ed Martin, who attacked the school for having diversity, equity and inclusion programs, or "DEI."
Republicans and President Donald Trump's administration in particular have targeted diversity initiatives, with a January executive order that called the practice "radical" and claimed it discriminates against white men.
Martin had to resend the letter to Treanor after the first didn't get the address correct, reported The Washington Post.
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“This is unacceptable,” wrote Martin. “At this time, you should know that no applicant for our fellows program, our summer internship, or employment in our office who is a student or affiliated with a law school or university that continues to teach and utilize DEI will be considered.”
Treanor is a constitutional law scholar. Martin, meanwhile, is a Trump appointee and a controversial figure with a background in Republican politics and conservative activism.
Treanor responded to the letter pointing out that Georgetown is the nation’s oldest Catholic and Jesuit university and prides itself on being "founded on the principle that serious and sustained discourse among people of different faiths, cultures, and beliefs promotes intellectual, ethical, and spiritual understanding."
He went on to specifically cite the university's religious freedom, "The First Amendment ... guarantees that the government cannot direct what Georgetown and its faculty teach and how to teach it."
"Your letter informs me that your office will deny our students and graduates government employment opportunities until you, as Interim United States Attorney for the District of Columbia, approve our curriculum."
He called it a violation of the Constitution.
Legal experts lined up to lend their support.
"Not the most important part by any stretch but I *love* that Martin keeps referring to himself as 'United States Attorney' and Treanor repeatedly refers to him as 'Interim United States Attorney, said Josh Chafetz, Agnes Williams Sesquicentennial Professor of Law and Politics at Georgetown.
Civil rights lawyer and former NAACP president Sherrilyn Ifill similarly said, "Listen this IS, in fact how it’s done. Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor responds to Acting U.S. Attorny Ed Martin’s threat to refuse to hire Georgetown graduates who have taken 'DEI' courses in their curriculum. Treanor is a brilliant lawyer & constitutional scholar. Embarrassing for Martin."
"Georgetown Law Dean William Treanor’s response to interim US Attorney Ed Martin’s letter calling the school’s curriculum 'unacceptable.' Bravo," cheered former federal prosecutor Barbara McQuade.
Georgetown Law Professor Steve Vladeck called it a "pitch-perfect response." He noted, "It’s always a privilege and honor to be part of the GULC community (and to be Bill’s colleague), but *especially* today."
Alumna also championed the letter.