A federal judge in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon from implementing an executive order aimed at closing the U.S. Department of Education.
The court also directed the administration to reinstate approximately 1,300 employees who had been informed in March that their positions would be eliminated as part of a large-scale reduction in force. The judge ordered that the department be returned to its previous state.
District Judge Myong J. Joun stated in his ruling that a department lacking sufficient staff to fulfill its legally mandated functions cannot properly operate. He also prohibited the administration from transferring management of federal student loans and special programs to other government agencies.
The administration argued that the staffing cuts were intended to improve efficiency, but the judge found no substantial evidence supporting that claim. Instead, the record showed signs of negative operational impacts.
Joun further noted that the executive actions may have violated the constitutional separation of powers by conflicting with the administration’s duty to faithfully execute laws enacted by Congress and to use appropriated funds accordingly.
The case combines two lawsuits filed in March in response to the proposed restructuring. The plaintiffs include 20 states, the District of Columbia, education unions, school districts, and other organizations. They argue that the downsizing affects essential functions, including oversight of student loan servicing and enforcement of federal funding requirements for colleges and universities.
Since the start of the current administration, staff at the Department of Education has been reduced from 4,133 to approximately 2,180, due to terminations and voluntary departures. According to the lawsuits, this reduction jeopardizes the department’s ability to carry out its mission.
Officials from the Department of Education have stated their intention to challenge the court’s decision on an emergency basis.
