By Rodd Cayton
The New Mexico Supreme Court is pushing back against the Trump administration’s drive to curtail diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts across the country.
The court Tuesday released an open letter to the public declaring its commitment to those values.
The letter, signed by all five justices, notes that the words “Dedicated to the Administration of Equal Justice Under Law” are carved in wood above their seats in the New Mexico Supreme Court Building.
“For 123 years, these words have served as a guidepost to the Justices and a promise to all New Mexico,” they wrote. “As we face challenges and pushback at the federal level against inclusivity efforts, the Supreme Court of New Mexico affirms our commitment to these values. As stewards of justice, we recognize that a just legal system must reflect and respect the diverse communities that it serves.”
The justices wrote the commitment includes devotion to eliminating barriers to justice, promoting equal access and ensuring every individual is treated with dignity and fairness — regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age or other characteristics or attributes.
“We will continue to work collaboratively with judges, court staff, attorneys, the Commission on Equity and Justice, other Supreme Court commissions, and community justice partners to build a more just, accessible and equitable legal system for all,” the court wrote.
The White House in January announced that President Donald Trump signed an executive order terminating DEI “discrimination” in the federal workforce and in federal contracting and spending.
While the Trump administration says the move “protects the civil rights of all Americans and expands individual opportunity,” critics of the action say the new rules will do the opposite.