Court Blocks Trump Administration's Attempt to Dismantle Education Dept.

Massachusetts Educators Win Preliminary Injunction Against Federal Layoffs

A coalition comprising educators, school districts, and unions has successfully secured a preliminary injunction against Secretary of Education McMahon's extensive reduction-in-force plan. This decision halts the current administration's effort to significantly cut down on the Department of Education's workforce. The coalition, represented by Democracy Forward, includes the Somerville Public School Committee, Easthampton School District, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - Massachusetts, AFT, AFSCME Council 93, American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

The district court declared, “A department without enough employees to perform statutorily mandated functions is not a department at all. This court cannot be asked to cover its eyes while the Department’s employees are continuously fired and units are transferred out until the Department becomes a shell of itself.”

According to Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, “Today’s order means that the Trump administration’s disastrous mass firings of career civil servants are blocked while this insupportably disruptive and unlawful agency action is litigated.” Perryman further emphasized the need for the administration to focus on improving education and opportunities for all rather than dismantling the Department of Education.

The proposed layoffs would have reduced the Department's workforce from 4,133 employees to just 2,183. These civil servants are crucial for various functions, including distributing funds for students with disabilities, supporting families, safeguarding students’ civil rights, and ensuring higher education affordability. The mass terminations would adversely affect students and educational institutions nationwide.

Ilana Krepchin, Chair of the Somerville School Committee, expressed optimism, stating, “We are deeply encouraged by the court’s decision today to grant the preliminary injunction, which will temporarily prevent the Trump administration from proceeding with its harmful efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.” Krepchin highlighted the victory as a significant step for students, teachers, and families, reinforcing the importance of the public education system.

The sentiment was echoed by Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, who mentioned, “While today’s decision will provide relief, the damage is already being felt in our schools – by our students, especially the most vulnerable, and our educators.” She affirmed confidence in the legal challenge and reiterated the determination to protect students' rights and resources.

AFT President Randi Weingarten also weighed in, stating, “Today, the court rightly rejected one of the administration’s very first illegal, and consequential, acts: abolishing the federal role in education.” Weingarten underscored the need for collective responsibility to secure a better future for all children.

In addition to layoffs, plans have been proposed to close the Department and transfer programs such as the Office for Special Education Programs and Federal Student Aid to other federal agencies lacking relevant expertise or resources.

For more detailed information, the full complaint is available here and the preliminary injunction can be accessed here.

The legal team from Democracy Forward working on this case includes Will Bardwell, Elena Goldstein, Rachel F. Homer, Victoria Nugent, Adnan Perwez, and Kali Schellenberg.

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Democracy Forward is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.

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The AFT represents 1.8 million pre-K through 12th-grade teachers; paraprofessionals and other school-related personnel; higher education faculty and professional staff; federal, state and local government employees; nurses and healthcare workers; and early childhood educators.