Supreme Court Lets Trump Move Forward With Education Department Cuts

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court has cleared the way for former President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon to continue shrinking the Department of Education. On Monday, the Court lifted a lower court order that had blocked the department from laying off about 1,400 workers.

The decision allows Trump’s plan to go forward: cut jobs, shut down key programs, and move the department’s main responsibilities to other federal agencies.

Layoffs Back on Track

Since March, about one-third of the department’s staff had been on paid leave as the administration waited for the court decision. Now that the block has been lifted, those workers will likely be laid off soon.

What Happens to the Department’s Work

The Trump administration wants to divide the department’s responsibilities among other agencies:

• Student Loans: The Department of Treasury is expected to take over the $1.6 trillion student loan program, which helps nearly 43 million borrowers. Talks between Education and Treasury are restarting, and some Education staff are already working with Treasury.
• Workforce & Adult Education Grants: The Department of Labor will take charge of managing $2.6 billion in grants for job training and adult education.
• Civil Rights & Special Education: Oversight of special education services could go to the Department of Health and Human Services. Civil rights investigations may move to the Department of Justice.

Early Problems Reported

Some problems have already started since the layoffs began. A day after the first round of cuts in March, the federal student aid website went offline for hours. This delayed financial aid for students applying to college.

Melanie Storey, who leads a national group for financial aid professionals, said the cuts are hurting students. “It was unrealistic to think cuts that deep wouldn’t break the system,” she said.

Concerns Over Civil Rights Protections

Advocates for students say cutting staff at the Education Department will harm civil rights enforcement. The Office for Civil Rights handles thousands of complaints involving discrimination based on race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.

Gaylynn Burroughs of the National Women’s Law Center said the cuts will leave students with fewer protections. “Without enough staff and resources, students will face more barriers to educational opportunity,” she said.

Legal Fight Isn’t Over

Even though the Supreme Court allowed the layoffs to go forward, legal challenges are continuing. A group called Democracy Forward, which represents educators and parents, said it will keep fighting the plan in court.

“No court — not even the Supreme Court — has ruled that this plan is actually legal,” said Skye Perryman, the group’s president.

Trump Responds: ‘Power Back to the People’

Trump praised the ruling in a post on Truth Social, saying the decision puts control of education back in the hands of the states and the people. He had promised during his campaign to shut down the Education Department.

While Congress would need to pass a law to officially close the department, McMahon has said its “final mission” is to move its duties to the states and other agencies.