Federal judge blocks Trump administration from dismantling U.S. Department of Education

A federal judge in Massachusetts has halted the Trump administration’s controversial attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, ordering the agency to rehire employees who were recently dismissed. The decision came in response to a lawsuit filed by a coalition of school districts, Democratic attorneys general, and the American Federation of Teachers.

U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled that President Donald Trump‍‍`s executive order from March 20, which instructed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the department‍‍`s closure, was illegal. Judge Joun emphasized that such a move would require explicit authorization from Congress. “The record abundantly reveals that defendants’ true intention is to effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute,” the judge stated in his decision.

The Trump administration had justified its actions as a measure to reduce federal bureaucracy and redirect control to individual states. During recent congressional testimony, McMahon argued that local authorities are better suited to handle educational responsibilities and that downsizing would save taxpayer money.

In a strongly worded response to the ruling, Department of Education spokesperson Madi Biedermann criticized the judge’s decision, calling it an overreach and politically motivated. She asserted that the administration would seek an emergency appeal, maintaining that the President and the Secretary of Education have the rightful authority to reorganize federal agencies.

For now, the judge’s ruling stands, pending further legal proceedings or a potential reversal by a higher court.