More than 50 universities are being investigated for alleged racial discrimination as part of President Donald Trump’s campaign to end diversity, equity and inclusion programs his officials say exclude white and Asian American students.

The group of 45 universities are allegedly tied to the PhD Project, a professional development organization for PhD students that allegedly limits eligibility based on race.

U.S. agencies are defying a court order blocking President Donald Trump's ban on diversity, equity and inclusion programs at businesses and organizations that contract with the federal government, groups suing over the ban said in a court filing on Thursday.