Federal Judge Stalls Trump’s Education Cuts, Mandates Staff Reinstatement

WASHINGTON — A federal judge in Massachusetts has ordered the U.S. Department of Education to reinstate hundreds of employees laid off earlier this year. This ruling halts an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at reducing the agency’s size and influence.

The decision results from lawsuits filed in March by Democratic attorneys general and advocacy coalitions, effectively blocking several initiatives from the Trump administration. These moves represent a significant setback for Trump’s efforts to redefine the federal role in education.

The lawsuits primarily challenge the administration’s workforce reductions, which resulted in more than 1,300 layoffs. They also contest the president’s directive to reassign the student loan portfolio and special education services to other departments, as well as calls for the closure of the Department of Education itself.

U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun criticized the administration’s actions, stating, “A department without enough employees to perform statutorily mandated functions is not a department at all.” His 88-page memorandum emphasizes the need for the Education Department to remain fully staffed to effectively fulfill its responsibilities.

Joun’s preliminary injunction, effective immediately, will remain in place until the case is fully adjudicated. A spokesperson for the department confirmed plans to appeal the ruling.

Significantly, the lawsuit was filed by a group of attorneys general from numerous states, including Arizona, California, and New York, alongside various educational organizations. Concerns from advocates have amplified regarding the agency’s capability to manage essential services following such drastic workforce cuts.

Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, heralded the ruling, stating, “Today, the court rightly rejected one of the administration’s very first illegal acts: abolishing the federal role in education.” She emphasized the importance of supporting educational opportunities for all children.

The court also prohibited the department from executing the president’s proposal to transfer critical education services to other federal agencies. This initiative initially lacked formal executive order backing, raising questions about its legality and implementation.

In response, department spokesperson Madi Biedermann criticized the ruling as an overreach, asserting that appointed officials, not the judiciary, should dictate agency reforms. This controversy unfolded just as Secretary Linda McMahon faced scrutiny from House Democrats about budget cuts and radical changes proposed for the Department of Education.