Nearly 20 Democratic Attorneys General sued the Trump Administration on Thursday to stop the plan to cut half of the Department of Education workforce.
The lawsuit comes just two days after the federal agency terminated more than 1,300 employees. This included those who monitor education quality, student achievement and those who administer grant funds.
The suit filed in federal court in Massachusetts claims that the layoffs were unconstitutional. It also asks for the court to stop the Trump administration from dismantling the department . The President has stated that he wants Linda McMahon , a former wrestler who was Small Business Administrator in his first term, to be the final person to hold the position before the agency is shut down. This would require an Act of Congress.
The suit was filed by the New York Attorney General Letitia J. James, who named Mr. Trump, McMahon, and the Education Department defendants.
James stated that the layoffs would affect students with disabilities or low-income families in particular.
James stated that “this outrageous effort is to leave students behind, and rob them of quality education. It’s reckless and illegal.”
Arizona, California and Colorado are also suing New York, as well as Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii. Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts. Michigan, Minnesota. New Jersey. Oregon. Rhode Island. Washington. Wisconsin.
In the first weeks of Trump’s administration, Democratic Attorneys General have filed numerous lawsuits challenging an avalanche of executive orders and changes in federal policy.
Several states have challenged other changes to education policy. A suit was also filed on March 6, in Massachusetts. It sought to stop the reduction in grant programs for teachers.
The suit is still pending.
