A federal judge dealt a sweeping setback on Thursday to President Trump’s education agenda, declaring that the administration cannot move forward with its plans to cut off federal funding from schools and colleges with diversity and equity programs.

The case related to a memo the administration had sent to states in April asking them to certify that their schools did not practice “illegal D.E.I.,” which stands for diversity, equity and inclusion. The administration has threatened to cut off billions in federal dollars from education institutions that did not comply.

In a strongly worded ruling, Judge Stephanie Gallagher of the Federal District Court in Maryland wrote that the administration had not followed proper procedure and said its plan was unconstitutional, in part because it risked constraining educators’ free speech rights in the classroom.

“The regulation of speech cannot be done casually,” Judge Gallagher wrote.

The case was brought by the American Federation of Teachers, the nation’s second largest teachers union; the American Sociological Association; and a school district in Eugene, Ore.

The Education Department and the White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.