Trump loses in court: Education Department shutdown blocked

A federal judge on Thursday issued a preliminary injunction halting President Donald Trump’s executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, and ordered the agency to reinstate employees who were terminated in mass layoffs.

U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, sitting in Boston, granted the injunction, effectively blocking two plans announced by the Trump administration in March that sought to further the president’s stated goal of abolishing the department. This ruling represents a significant setback to one of Trump’s key campaign promises.

The injunction was sought as part of a lawsuit brought by the Somerville and Easthampton school districts in Massachusetts, the American Federation of Teachers, and other education advocacy groups.

The plaintiffs argued that the mass layoffs constituted an unlawful shutdown of the Education Department, rendering it incapable of fulfilling its congressionally mandated responsibilities. These responsibilities include supporting special education programs, distributing federal financial aid, and enforcing civil rights laws in educational settings.

In his order, Judge Joun highlighted the “stark picture of the irreparable harm” that would result from the administration’s actions. He cited the potential for financial uncertainty, delays in vital services, and the loss of essential support for vulnerable student populations. He further stated that layoffs of the scale proposed by the Trump administration would “likely cripple the Department.”

Consequently, Judge Joun ordered the Education Department to immediately reinstate federal employees who were terminated as part of the March 11 layoff announcement.

The Trump administration has maintained that the layoffs were intended to streamline operations and enhance efficiency, and not to shut down the department. While President Trump has publicly advocated for the agency’s closure, the administration acknowledged that such a move would require congressional action.

The administration asserted that the restructuring of the department “may impact certain services until the reorganization is finished,” but reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its statutory obligations.