California has joined a group of 19 other Democratic-led states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration. This legal action aims to stop significant layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education. The states argue that these cuts could effectively shut down the department’s essential functions, including managing student loans and protecting civil rights.
The lawsuit was filed in federal court in Massachusetts, with California Attorney General Rob Bonta leading the charge alongside other state attorneys general. They claim that the recent staff reductions announced by Education Secretary Linda McMahon are a reckless attempt to fulfill President Trump’s goal of dismantling the department entirely. According to the lawsuit, the executive branch cannot simply eliminate an agency or incapacitate it by cutting its staff.
The layoffs, which are set to take effect on March 21, would reduce the department’s workforce from approximately 4,133 employees to just 2,183. This drastic reduction has raised concerns about how the department will continue to meet its obligations mandated by Congress, especially in areas critical to education and civil rights.
California relies heavily on federal funding for education, receiving around $16.3 billion annually for K-12 education. The state’s largest school district, Los Angeles Unified, alone receives about $1.26 billion in federal support. The lawsuit highlights the potential impact of these layoffs on students, particularly those from low-income families and students with disabilities.
The Department of Education has yet to respond to the lawsuit. In the meantime, the states are seeking a court order to halt the layoffs, emphasizing that the president and his administration cannot unilaterally make such significant changes to federal agencies.
As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the ongoing tensions between state governments and the federal administration over education policy and funding.