Supreme Court ruling allows Trump to gut Education Dept., sparking fears for vulnerable students

July 16, 2025

of the News Article The Supreme Court has allowed the Trump administration to proceed with over 1,300 layoffs at the Department of Education while a lawsuit challenging this action continues in lower courts. This decision enables the administration to reduce the department's workforce by nearly half, significantly impacting divisions like the Office for Civil Rights, which will lose seven of its twelve regional offices. Critics argue these cuts will harm marginalized students including children of color, economically disadvantaged youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with disabilities, while Education Secretary Linda McMahon has praised the ruling as supporting efficiency and accountability.

Who is affected

Children of color, economically disadvantaged students, LGBTQ+ youth, and students with disabilities
Students in marginalized communities, including rural youth
English language learners and those experiencing achievement gaps
Schools and school districts receiving federal funding
The Department of Education staff facing layoffs (over 1,300 employees)
States that typically receive education funding disbursed by the department

What action is being taken

The Trump administration is proceeding with layoffs of over 1,300 Education Department employees
The Office for Civil Rights is being reduced, with seven of its twelve regional offices being eliminated
The administration is withholding over $6 billion in education funding that is typically disbursed to states
Twenty-four states and Washington, D.C. are suing Trump for impounding funds that are usually disbursed July 1

Why it matters

The reduction will significantly impact the Department of Education's ability to investigate discrimination claims and enforce civil rights laws
Investigations into discrimination will take longer to complete with reduced staff
Programs for bilingual education, K-12 funding, disability education grants, and federal financial aid will be affected
The cuts send a message that discrimination based on race, sex, or disability may be tolerated
Critics view this as part of a broader effort to privatize, defund, and destabilize the public education system
The Supreme Court's use of the shadow docket raises concerns about bypassing careful deliberation

What's next

Education Secretary Linda McMahon will initiate the mass layoffs as planned
The lawsuit challenging the Trump administration's actions will continue in lower courts
Congress has multiple forms of recourse available, including appropriating the withheld education funding
Congress could offer a friend-of-the-court brief supporting the states suing Trump for impounding funds
Congress could hold hearings or hold the administration in contempt according to Onyeka-Crawford

Read full article from source: The 19th