Supreme Court Upholds Trump-Era Education Dept. Dismantling, Employee Layoffs

In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court has cleared the path for former President Donald Trump’s administration to proceed with its controversial plan to dismantle the Education Department and lay off nearly 1,400 employees. The decision, handed down on Monday, overturns a preliminary injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston, which had temporarily halted the layoffs and questioned the broader restructuring effort.

The high court’s action enables the administration to resume efforts to wind down the department, a key promise during Trump’s presidency. The Court did not provide an explanation for its decision, typical for emergency appeals. However, dissenting Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan, criticized the majority for enabling what she called ‘legally questionable action.’

‘When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it,’ Sotomayor wrote.

Former Education Secretary Linda McMahon lauded the ruling, stating it was ‘a shame’ that Supreme Court intervention was required. Meanwhile, a lawyer representing the Massachusetts cities and education groups that filed suit vowed to continue the legal challenge, emphasizing that no court has yet definitively ruled on the legality of the administration’s actions.

This ruling is the latest in a series of victories for the Trump administration at the Supreme Court regarding its efforts to reshape the federal government, often after lower courts had found the administration’s actions likely violated federal law. Previously, the justices allowed significant reductions in the federal workforce and cuts to teacher-training grants.

Separately, more than 20 states have sued the administration over billions of dollars in frozen education funding for programs like after-school care and summer initiatives. Education Department employees targeted by the layoffs have been on paid leave since March, with a union representing staff stating that Judge Joun’s order had prevented their full termination. The department had previously indicated it was ‘actively assessing how to reintegrate’ these employees.

The consolidated lawsuits against the administration’s plan argued that the layoffs would render the department unable to fulfill its congressionally mandated responsibilities, including supporting special education, distributing financial aid, and enforcing civil rights laws.

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