A federal judge has issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, marking a significant legal setback for the administration's education policy agenda.

On May 22, 2025, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled that President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon lacked the authority to unilaterally close the Department of Education without congressional approval. The judge also ordered the reinstatement of over 1,300 employees who had been terminated in mass layoffs announced in March, stating that these layoffs would severely impair the department's ability to carry out essential functions mandated by Congress, including support for special education, distribution of financial aid, and enforcement of civil rights laws.

The Department of Education, established in 1979, is responsible for administering federal funding to schools and colleges, managing federal student aid programs, enforcing civil rights laws in educational settings, and collecting data on America's schools to guide improvements in education quality. In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary McMahon to initiate the closure of the department, fulfilling a campaign promise to reduce federal oversight in education and transfer more control to state and local governments. Following the executive order, the department announced mass layoffs affecting over 1,300 employees, effectively reducing its workforce by approximately half.

The layoffs and the executive order faced immediate legal challenges. Lawsuits were filed by Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia, as well as by school districts and teachers' unions. They argued that the administration's actions effectively constituted an unlawful shutdown of the department without congressional approval. Judge Joun's ruling emphasized that dismantling the department would severely impair its ability to perform essential functions mandated by Congress, including support for special education, distribution of financial aid, and enforcement of civil rights laws.

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley condemned the executive order, stating, "This latest executive action is despicable and unlawful behavior from a man who wants to be king and wants to harm everyone who calls this country home. It is an assault on students and educators that will undermine public education, threaten civil rights, and harm our most vulnerable students in Massachusetts and across America."

The National Education Association (NEA), representing 2.8 million American teachers, expressed concern that dismantling the department would negatively impact millions of students in low-income communities who rely on federal educational services and support.

The attempted dismantling of the Department of Education and the subsequent court ruling have significant implications for the American education system. The department administers federal student aid programs, enforces civil rights laws in education, and supports special education services. Its closure could disrupt these critical functions, affecting millions of students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds. The legal challenges and the court's decision underscore the importance of maintaining federal oversight to ensure equal access to quality education and the protection of students' rights.

This ruling sets a precedent regarding the limits of executive power in altering federal agencies and highlights the ongoing debate over the federal government's role in education. The decision may influence future policy debates on federal involvement in education and the balance between federal oversight and state control.