The U.S. Supreme Court has permitted President Donald Trump to proceed with his efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. In a short, unsigned order, the court overturned a federal judge’s ruling that had reinstated nearly 1,400 employees who had been laid off. The conservative-majority justices approved an emergency request from Trump’s administration, enabling it to move forward with its plans while legal disputes are ongoing in lower courts.
Two lawsuits have been filed challenging Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Department of Education. These legal actions are supported by 21 Democratic attorneys general, school districts, and unions. They contend that Trump’s plan could disrupt the department’s essential roles, including managing college loans and upholding civil rights in education. Additionally, federal law restricts the department from overseeing school operations, which fall under state and local authorities.
In March, Trump revealed intentions to shut down the department, claiming education authority should be shifted back to states. He issued an executive order to transfer specific functions and assets of the department. In May, US District Judge Myong Joun in Boston determined that these mass layoffs could severely damage the department. The First Circuit Court of Appeals supported this decision, but Trump’s administration appealed to the Supreme Court.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon has affirmed Trump’s right to make staffing choices, stating he holds the final authority over federal agencies. She argued that his actions were within his legal rights as the head of the executive branch. In contrast, Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Elena Kagan, and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented, deeming the decision “indefensible.” The department mainly manages college loans, monitors student performance, enforces civil rights laws, and allocates federal funding to low-income schools and students with disabilities.
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