Supreme Court Weighs Trump Education Layoff Appeal

The Trump administration has appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to lift a federal court order that blocked mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education as part of its plan to dismantle the agency. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled that the layoffs, affecting nearly 1,400 employees, were an unlawful attempt to shut down the department without Congressional approval and ordered their reinstatement. The administration argues the layoffs are a legitimate effort to streamline the department and that the judge overstepped his authority. Lawsuits from school districts, teachers' unions, and 21 Democratic-led states argue the layoffs would cripple the department’s ability to support special education, distribute financial aid, and enforce civil rights. The 1st Circuit Court of Appeals declined to block the judge’s order, leading to the administration’s emergency appeal to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court is now considering whether to allow the layoffs to proceed while the case is pending.