Legal and Policy Controversies
The administration requested the to pause a lower court's order reinstating nearly 1,400 fired Education Department employees, arguing that the layoffs were part of a policy to streamline the department.
District Judge Myong Joun's preliminary injunction, which halted the layoffs, was criticized by the administration for allegedly exceeding his authority and blocking the president's effort to dismantle the department.
Political and Public Reactions
Critics argue that Trump's plan to dismantle the Education Department, and the associated layoffs, undermine the department's ability to fulfill its congressional responsibilities, including supporting special education and enforcing civil rights laws.
Opponents of the plan, including Democrats and education groups, have expressed concerns over the impact on K-12 education and have criticized the proposed 15% budget cut to the Education Department, which includes a $4.5 billion cut in K-12 funding.