20-State Coalition Sues Trump Over Department of Education Cuts

A coalition of 21 attorneys general, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, is seeking a preliminary injunction to block the Trump administration's plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The administration's proposal includes cutting 50% of the ED's workforce and transferring essential services like student loan management to other agencies, which has raised significant concerns about the impact on educational programs and funding. The lawsuit argues that these actions violate federal law and infringe upon Congress's authority, as the department was established by legislative mandate. Attorney General James emphasized the immediate harms caused by the layoffs, including delayed federal funding amounting to $363 million for New York schools. Other state attorneys general, including those from Hawaii and Minnesota, have joined the lawsuit, underscoring the widespread implications for students and educators across the country. The coalition asserts that the dismantling of ED threatens vital services for vulnerable student populations and disrupts compliance and planning for schools.