New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has secured a court order halting the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The legal action was initiated after the administration announced plans to cut 50 percent of the department’s workforce.
On March 13, Attorney General Platkin joined forces with attorneys general from 20 other states in a lawsuit against these plans. This followed a March 20 Executive Order directing the closure of the Department and President Trump’s subsequent announcement on March 21, which included directives for layoffs and transferring student loan management and special education services outside of the Department.
The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts has granted a preliminary injunction requested by this coalition, effectively stopping further dismantling actions and ordering reinstatement for employees who were laid off.
“President Trump’s attempt to unilaterally dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is unconstitutional and illegal, and we are pleased that the court agreed with us today and blocked these unlawful actions,” stated Attorney General Platkin. He emphasized that such attempts would negatively impact services for special needs students, low-income families, and those pursuing higher education.
The lawsuit argues that these actions by the Trump Administration are illegal as they bypass congressional authority over an executive agency like ED, which is governed by various laws establishing its programs and funding streams. Additionally, it claims that dismantling ED violates the Administrative Procedure Act.
Attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont along with the District of Columbia have joined Attorney General Platkin in this legal challenge.
