A federal judge has halted the Trump administration’s attempt to restructure the U.S. Department of Education, ruling the move unlawful.
Judge Myong Joun of the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction on Thursday, blocking plans to lay off half the department’s workforce and transfer management of federal student loans to the Small Business Administration.
The ruling marks the first judicial rebuke of the administration’s efforts to overhaul the department. Joun, appointed by former President Joe Biden, said the changes could cause “irreparable harm” to the education system.
U.S. President Donald Trump has long criticised the department, arguing that in spite of significant federal investment in education, the quality of education has not met expectations.
Citing low proficiency in reading and math among students in U.S. elementary, middle and high schools, Trump said that the department is “doing us no good’’ and his administration is returning education to the states.
In March, he signed an executive order to formally begin the process of dismantling the department.
The department previously initiated a large-scale layoff.
According to earlier U.S. media reports, the department, which originally had 4,000 employees, would cut nearly half of its workforce.
The establishment and dismantling of federal agencies generally require Congressional approval through legislation.
