Daijiworld Media Network - Washington
Washington, Jul 15: In a major legal win for US President Donald Trump, the Supreme Court on Monday allowed the dismantling of the Department of Education to resume, a move aimed at reducing federal involvement in education and shifting control back to the states.
In a brief, unsigned order, the top court lifted a federal judge’s block that had reinstated nearly 1,400 laid-off employees and prevented the Trump administration from transferring vital functions to other federal agencies. The decision, which saw dissent from the court’s three liberal justices, comes as legal challenges continue in lower courts.
Trump’s downsizing plan, first unveiled in March, involves shifting student loan services worth $1.6 trillion to the Small Business Administration, and special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services. While formally shutting down the department requires Congressional approval, Trump signed an executive order to shrink its operations to the “maximum extent” allowed by law.
“We’re returning education back to the states where it belongs,” Trump had declared earlier. Despite the move, he promised to preserve core services like Pell grants and funding for disadvantaged students and children with special needs.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon welcomed the Supreme Court's decision as a “significant win for students and families,” stating that the department will now focus on restoring “excellence in American education.”
However, the move has drawn sharp criticism from Democratic leaders, educators, and public-school advocates. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, in her dissent joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, warned that the decision could lead to devastating consequences. “Lifting the block will delay or deny educational opportunities and leave students without federal protection against discrimination and other civil rights violations,” she wrote.
The original block was issued by US District Judge Myong Joun in Boston, who ruled in May that the firings would “likely cripple the department.” His ruling was upheld by the 1st US Circuit Court of Appeals before being overturned by the Supreme Court.
Critics say the move could disrupt aid to low-income schools, undermine efforts to combat school discrimination, and hamper the processing of college financial aid applications.
Legal group Democracy Forward, representing unions and school districts, slammed the ruling, vowing to pursue all legal avenues to ensure children’s right to public education is upheld.