BALTIMORE, MD—The U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction halting the Trump administration’s plans to dismantle the Department of Education. Thursday’s ruling halts the administration’s mass layoffs and orders the reinstatement of employees fired as part of the layoffs.
Attorney General Anthony G. Brown of Maryland, who joined a coalition of 20 attorneys general in challenging the administration’s actions, praised the decision.
“Employees who work for the Department of Education help keep class sizes small, make sure students with disabilities get the care and support they deserve, and administer college loans and grants to young adults so they can one day land their dream job,” said Brown. “This preliminary ruling ensures Maryland schools and students will get the resources they need while we continue the fight for our children’s future in court.”
The coalition argued that the administration’s attempt to eliminate half of ED’s workforce, transfer student loan management and special education services to other agencies, and ultimately close the department, was illegal and unconstitutional. They asserted that the executive branch lacks the authority to unilaterally dismantle an agency established by Congress without an act of Congress. Congress authorizes ED as an executive agency, and numerous laws create its programs and funding. The District Court agreed, finding that the administration’s actions violated the Administrative Procedures Act.
The lawsuit was initially filed on March 13, 2025. The coalition of attorneys general includes those from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
Photo by Sora Shimazaki from Pexels
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