Massachusetts Groups Sue Trump to Halt Education Department Dismantling

Legal Challenge Aims to Halt Trump Administration's Plans to Dismantle Education Department

MASSACHUSETTS - A broad coalition comprising educators, school districts, and unions has initiated a legal battle against the Trump administration. The group seeks to prevent the planned dismantling of the Department of Education, which includes significant layoffs that threaten essential educational services nationwide. This legal action emerges following President Trump’s Executive Order targeting the closure of the Department.

The lawsuit, filed by Democracy Forward in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, represents entities including Easthampton School District, Somerville Public School Committee, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - Massachusetts, AFT, AFSCME Council 93, American Association of University Professors, and Service Employees International Union (SEIU).

Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward, emphasized the coalition's commitment to safeguarding public education, saying, “Today, we defend all people who depend on the Department of Education to ensure public schools are safe, accessible and welcoming, and that education is available to all people in this nation, not just a few.”

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in distributing funds for students with disabilities, assisting parents and families, protecting students’ rights, and ensuring higher education affordability. The Trump administration's planned mass firings threaten these essential functions.

Ilana Krepchin, Chair of the Somerville School Committee, expressed concern over the potential impact, stating, “Dismantling it would cause real harm — not only to our students and schools, but to communities across the country. That’s why we are joining this case.”

Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, highlighted the federal government's historical role in providing equal access to education, noting, “For nearly 50 years, the federal government has helped us ensure equal access, especially for those who have had access restricted throughout history.”

Reflecting on the Department’s mission, AFT President Randi Weingarten remarked, “The Department of Education, and the laws it is supposed to execute, has one major purpose: to fill opportunity gaps to help every child in America succeed.”

Mark Bernard, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 93, criticized the Executive Order, describing it as “not only illegal, but — as is to be expected from this administration — just plain cruel.”

Todd Wolfson, President of the American Association of University Professors, emphasized the Department's significance in facilitating higher education access, warning, “Without it, access to education for working class Americans will decrease.”

SEIU President April Verrett declared the union's resolve, stating, “Working people are not going to stand idly by while this administration destroys public education and other services we all rely on.”

The Department, previously employing 4,133 staff, will see its workforce reduced to 2,183 following the administration's actions. The Executive Order also outlines intentions to redistribute department programs and offices to other federal agencies.

These actions have raised significant constitutional concerns, given Congress's longstanding financial support for the Department and its legal mandates. For further details, visit democracyforward.org.