Last Updated on 1 week by Ashley Michael
A federal judge has issued a major ruling that halts the Trump administration’s attempt to shut down the U.S. Department of Education, calling the effort unlawful and beyond presidential authority.
The decision, delivered by Judge Myong Joun of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, prevents the administration from going forward with plans to dissolve the department and immediately reinstates more than 1,300 employees who were laid off during the initial phase of the shutdown.
In his ruling, Judge Joun made it clear that the executive branch cannot unilaterally eliminate a federal agency created by Congress. He criticized the administration’s framing of the move as a “reorganization,” stating that the impact of the plan would effectively dismantle the department’s legal responsibilities.
The administration had announced in March that it intended to shift core duties of the Education Department—such as overseeing student loan programs and enforcing federal education laws—to other agencies like the Department of Labor and the Treasury. That transfer is now blocked, as the judge emphasized that such fundamental structural changes require direct congressional approval.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education signaled the administration’s intention to appeal the ruling, arguing that the executive has broad authority to streamline federal operations in the interest of efficiency.
Education advocates and civil rights organizations welcomed the court’s decision, saying it preserves essential federal protections and oversight for students, particularly those in under-resourced communities.
This ruling marks a significant setback for the Trump administration’s broader push to reduce the federal government’s role in public education. The case is expected to continue through the appeals process, potentially setting a precedent for how far future presidents can go in reshaping or eliminating federal agencies without congressional action.