Supreme Court permits Trump to restart Education Department teardown

Supreme Court Green‑Lights Trump to Resume Education Department Mass Layoffs

The U.S. Supreme Court, in an unsigned order, lifted a stay that had halted Trump’s planned mass firings at the Education Department. The decision opens the door for the president to move forward with the department’s proposed workforce reduction.

Background

• The Education Department was established by Congress in 1979.
• During his campaign, Trump pledged to dismantle the agency.
• In March, he ordered a near‑half cut in the department’s staffing.
• Secretary Linda McMahon was instructed to “put herself out of a job.”

Legal Challenges

About twenty states joined teachers’ unions in contesting the layoffs, arguing that Trump was overstepping its constitutional authority and infringing on Congress’s prerogatives.

In May, District Judge Myong Joun reinstated hundreds of fired employees.

The Court’s recent ruling, without explanation, repealed the judge’s order shortly after another decision that cleared the way for Trump to carry out mass firings in other government departments.

Dissenting Voices

Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, stating that “only Congress has the power to abolish the Department.” Sotomayor warned that “the majority is either willfully blind to the implications of its ruling or naive, but either way the threat to our Constitution’s separation of powers is grave.”

Federal Role in Education

The federal government traditionally has a limited role in U.S. education, providing about 13 % of funding for primary and secondary schools. However, federal funds are essential for low‑income schools and students with special needs, and the government enforces key civil rights protections for students.

Trump’s Government‑Efficiency Plan

After returning to the White House in January, Trump directed federal agencies to prepare sweeping workforce reduction plans as part of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), formerly headed by Elon Musk. Trump’s agenda includes firing tens of thousands of government employees, slashing programs, and abolishing the Education Department, the U.S. humanitarian aid agency USAID, and other initiatives.