Kimberly Richey Nominated to Be Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

OCR Announced Directed Investigations into Two of the Largest School Divisions in the United States When Richey was Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Under the Previous Trump Administration

February 11, 2025, Kimberly Richey was nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, for the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). Richey previously served in this position during President Trump’s first administration, in addition to working in USDOE from 2004-2009, under the administration of President George W. Bush.

January 12, 2021, during Richey’s final days in office under the previous Trump administration, OCR announced directed investigations into Los Angeles Unified School District (California) and Fairfax County Public Schools (Virginia)—two of the largest school divisions in the United States.

The resulting investigations identified systemic discrimination against students who have disabilities. In FCPS’ case, OCR found that FCPS trained a division of teachers to discriminate against students during COVID, too.

OCR’s choice to step in was a game-changer for many students.

Perhaps Richey’s return to OCR will bring with it another look at COVID-era failures—and an investigation into the roles state education agency continue to play in systemic discrimination against students who have disabilities. In both the case of LAUSD and FCPS, the question must be asked: Why didn’t the California and Virginia departments of education stop the discrimination?

To follow the nomination process, visit Congress.gov>Nominations>119th Congress>PN25-46.