The Trump administration has appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a lower court ruling blocking mass layoffs and the dismantling of the Department of Education, a move that threatens federal educational programs and workers’ rights.

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On June 6, 2025, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal with the U.S. Supreme Court asking permission to proceed with dismantling the Department of Education, following a federal judge’s injunction blocking mass layoffs and the closure of the agency.

The administration aims to transfer control of student loans and special education services to states and local authorities, effectively ending the federal department’s role.

In May, a federal judge in Boston ruled in favor of a coalition of 21 Democrat-led states, teachers’ unions, and school districts that challenged the administration’s executive order to dismantle the Department of Education.

The court ordered the reinstatement of over 1,300 laid-off employees and halted further reductions, emphasizing that the department cannot be dismantled without Congressional approval. A federal appeals court recently upheld this ruling, forcing the administration to seek relief from the Supreme Court.

The Department of Education oversees critical programs, including financial aid for millions of students, support for underprivileged schools, and enforcement of civil rights protections. The Trump administration’s plan to dissolve the department threatens these services and jeopardizes the jobs of thousands of federal employees.

The Trump administration is proposing a 15% cut to the Education Department’s budget that would include changes to federal Pell Grants. https://t.co/Su6HBfAQHy

— U.S. News Education (@USNewsEducation) June 4, 2025

Left-wing political sources highlight this move as part of a broader conservative agenda to weaken federal oversight, dismantle public education infrastructure, and shift responsibility to states that often lack resources to maintain equitable education.

Courts have repeatedly acted as a check on the Trump administration’s attempts to dismantle federal agencies and roll back social programs. The administration has openly criticized the judiciary, accusing judges of “activism” and labeling some as “communists.”

However, legal experts and progressive organizations argue that the judiciary’s interventions protect democratic governance and workers’ rights against executive overreach.

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