Photo Credit: G. Edward Johnson/Wikimedia Commons
A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s effort to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, siding with a lawsuit led by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul and 20 other attorneys general.
The court’s preliminary injunction, issued by the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, halts plans to lay off half the department’s workforce and move critical functions—like student loan oversight and special education services—outside the agency. The order also requires that all recently fired employees be reinstated.
“The Department of Education plays a crucial role in protecting K-12 education for all Americans—from ensuring that students with disabilities have equal access to classrooms, to protecting students from discrimination and harassment,” Raoul said. “The Trump administration’s actions are unlawful, unconstitutional and most severely harm students who have the most need for the department’s programs and services. I’m pleased with the court’s decision, and I will continue to stand with my colleagues to ensure all children have the opportunity of a quality education.”
The legal challenge followed a series of executive actions in March. On March 20, former President Trump issued an order to shutter the department. One day later, he announced that student loan management and special education services would be transferred out of the agency “immediately,” triggering mass layoffs.
For Illinois, the court’s ruling protects nearly $800 million in Title I funding for schools serving low-income students. It also ensures continued support for nearly 280,000 students who rely on special education services. Schools like the Illinois School for the Deaf and the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired can continue to count on vocational rehabilitation programs. The decision also preserves key functions such as investigating disability discrimination complaints and helping students complete the FAFSA to access federal financial aid.
Raoul and his fellow attorneys general argued that dismantling the department without an act of Congress violates the Constitution and federal law. They also pointed to violations of the Administrative Procedure Act in the handling of the mass layoffs.
The lawsuit includes support from attorneys general representing Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, and Vermont.
