A federal court has ruled the Executive Branch cannot dismantle the Department of Education (ED) without Congressional approval. The judge found that the recent RIF was aimed to cripple the agency, causing imminent harm to students and states, and that civil rights enforcement and student aid systems, including FAFSA, are in disarray. A preliminary injunction halts the executive order, mandates reinstatement of fired staff, and demands restoration of ED operations. Agencies must report compliance within 72 hours.
The Court’s Findings
- The executive branch cannot lawfully dismantle the ED without Congressional approval.
- Defendants’ claim that this was just an “efficiency reorganization” was not credible; the RIF clearly aimed to cripple the agency.
- The harm to students, schools, and states—especially those relying on Title I and IDEA funding—is irreparable and imminent.
- OCR (Office for Civil Rights) has been essentially dismantled, leaving federal civil rights laws unenforceable in education contexts.
- Student aid systems, including FAFSA, are in chaos due to massive staffing cuts in FSA (Federal Student Aid).
Impacts Identified
- Civil Rights Enforcement: Half of the Office for Civil Rights staff were fired, 7 of 12 regional offices closed.
- Student Loans and FAFSA: Staff responsible for loan servicing and FAFSA support were cut; delays threaten Fall 2025 enrollment.
- Special Education: IDEA-related services and staff gutted, impacting support for millions of students with disabilities.
- School Funding: Disruptions to Title I and other grant administration directly threaten K–12 schools’ ability to plan for the summer and upcoming school year.
The court granted a preliminary injunction, ordering:
- Immediate suspension of the RIF, including the reinstatement of terminated employees.
- The Executive Branch is enjoined from implementing the executive order of March 21, 2025.
- Efforts to transfer ED functions (e.g., student loans) to other agencies must be halted.
- Restoration of ED operations to their pre-RIF status, ensuring continued compliance with federal statutes.
- Defendants must file a status report with the court within 72 hours stating what steps they have taken to comply with the Order.
