Supreme Court Clears Path for Unlawful Trump-Vance Administration Plan to Destroy Department of Education as Case Continues

Massachusetts - The U.S. Supreme Court today delivered a significant blow to public education in America, effectively allowing President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education to proceed while a case challenging the unlawful cuts is considered. The Supreme Court order grants the government’s request for a stay, lifting two lower court decisions that had blocked mass firings and the unlawful elimination of many of the Department’s crucial offices.

The coalition that filed the complaint – which includes the Somerville Public School Committee, Easthampton School District, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) - Massachusetts, AFT, AFSCME Council 93, American Association of University Professors, and Service Employees International Union – won an injunction in district court that was further upheld by the First Circuit Court of Appeals, temporarily stopping the destruction of the Department. The case is Somerville v. Trump (now consolidated with New York v. McMahon) and the coalition is represented by Democracy Forward. The coalition released the following statement in response to the Supreme Court decision:

“We are incredibly disappointed by the Supreme Court’s decision to allow the Trump-Vance administration to proceed with its harmful efforts to dismantle the Department of Education while our case moves forward. This unlawful plan will immediately and irreparably harm students, educators and communities across our nation. Children will be among those hurt the most by this decision. We will never stop fighting on behalf of all students and public schools and the protections, services, and resources they need to thrive.”

From distributing funds to helping schools educate students with disabilities, to providing support and assistance to parents and families, protecting students’ civil rights, and making sure higher education is affordable for students, the Department of Education’s work is essential to the success of students.

The dismantling of the Department began via the sudden and disruptive mass layoffs of half of the entire Department. Prior to January 20, 2025, the Department employed 4,133 employees. The administration’s proposal would leave less than 2,200 remaining.

In addition to the mass layoffs, a presidential Executive Order and other administration statements have described the intent to close the Department and move Department programs and offices, such as the Office of Special Education Programs and the Office of Federal Student Aid, to different federal agencies with no relevant expertise or necessary resources.

The legal team at Democracy Forward on this case includes Will Bardwell, Elena Goldstein, Rachel F. Homer, Victoria Nugent, Adnan Perwez, and Kali Schellenberg.

Read the full complaint here and the preliminary injunction that today’s Supreme Court order overturns here.