A federal judge in Boston has issued a preliminary injunction blocking President Donald Trump's executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and reinstating the 1,300 employees who were laid off in March. The ruling, delivered on May 22, 2025, by U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, came in response to lawsuits filed by Massachusetts school districts, the American Federation of Teachers, and a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general.

The plaintiffs argued that the mass layoffs hindered the department's ability to fulfill its congressionally mandated responsibilities, including special education support, financial aid distribution, and civil rights enforcement. Judge Joun stated that the layoffs would likely "cripple" the department and rejected the administration's claim that the move was simply a reorganization. He emphasized that such significant changes require congressional approval and cannot be executed unilaterally by the executive branch.

In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing the closure of the Department of Education, aiming to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and return control of education to the states. This directive led to mass layoffs, reducing the department's workforce by nearly half. Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the layoffs as a step toward fulfilling Trump's campaign promise to shut down the department.

The Trump administration has appealed the ruling, arguing that the executive order was an attempt to reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and that the judiciary should not interfere with executive decisions.

The attempted dismantling of the Department of Education and the subsequent legal battles have significant implications for the U.S. education system. The layoffs and potential closure of the department threaten critical programs that support students with disabilities, low-income students, and those requiring financial aid for higher education. The disruption could lead to delays in funding, reduced oversight of civil rights in education, and a lack of guidance for state education systems.

Efforts to dismantle the Department of Education have been a recurring theme in Republican politics. However, previous attempts have not progressed as far as the current administration's actions. The scale of the proposed layoffs and the executive order to close the department represent an unprecedented move in the history of U.S. education policy.

Judge Joun's injunction serves as a critical check on executive authority, reinforcing the necessity of congressional involvement in significant structural changes to federal agencies. As the Trump administration appeals the ruling, the outcome will have lasting implications for the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches and the future of federal oversight in education.