A coalition of Democratic attorneys general, led by Dan Rayfield of Oregon, has filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s layoffs within the Education Department. The lawsuit, filed by 20 states and Washington, D.C., alleges that the layoffs are illegal and will severely hinder the department’s ability to function as mandated by Congress. The cuts are said to result in delays in federal funding for public schools, a lack of administration for college financial aid, and the inability to enforce civil rights laws in schools.
Department spokespersons have not commented on the lawsuit, but have previously stated that the agency will continue to meet its statutory obligations despite the layoffs. President Trump has been vocal about his desire to shut down the Department of Education, citing wastefulness and liberal influence.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has also spoken out against the cuts, stating that they will harm necessary services for students and families. The lawsuit asserts that only Congress has the authority to close the department or alter its core functions.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent the administration from making further layoffs that would hinder the department’s ability to fulfill its essential duties. The Education Department has undergone significant staff reductions under the Trump administration, leaving it with only half the number of employees it had when Trump took office. The outcome of the lawsuit will have significant implications for the future of education policy in the United States.
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