Court halts Trump administration plan to downsize education department

A coalition of educators, school districts, and unions has secured a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's attempt to significantly reduce the workforce of the Department of Education. This legal action prevents Secretary of Education McMahon’s proposed mass termination order from proceeding, which aimed to cut half of the department's staff.

The coalition includes entities such as the Somerville Public School Committee, Easthampton School District, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - Massachusetts, AFSCME Council 93, American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). They are represented by Democracy Forward in this case.

The district court stated: “A department without enough employees to perform statutorily mandated functions is not a department at all. This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the Department’s employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the Department becomes a shell of itself.”

Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, commented on the decision: “Today’s order means that the Trump administration’s disastrous mass firings of career civil servants are blocked while this insupportably disruptive and unlawful agency action is litigated.” She emphasized that dismantling efforts harm rather than improve educational opportunities.

The layoffs would have reduced staff from 4,133 to 2,183 employees. The Department's roles include distributing funds for students with disabilities and ensuring higher education affordability. Mass terminations could negatively impact these services.

Ilana Krepchin, Chair of the Somerville School Committee said: “We are deeply encouraged by the court’s decision today to grant the preliminary injunction... This victory is a win for our students, teachers, families here in Somerville and across the nation.”

Jessica Tang from AFT Massachusetts expressed concerns over existing damages: “While today’s decision will provide relief, the damage is already being felt in our schools – by our students...and our educators.”

Randi Weingarten from AFT highlighted broader implications: “Today, the court rightly rejected one of the administration’s very first illegal acts: abolishing the federal role in education... For America to build a brighter future...we must all take more responsibility...for our children."

Plans also included transferring programs like Special Education Programs and Federal Student Aid to other agencies lacking relevant expertise or resources.

The legal team at Democracy Forward includes Will Bardwell, Elena Goldstein, Rachel F. Homer, Victoria Nugent, Adnan Perwez, and Kali Schellenberg.

For further details on this case visit www.democracyforward.org