Appeals Court Maintains Block on Unlawful Plans to Dismantle Department of Education (June 4, 2025)
Local educators, labor leaders, and communities behind the challenge
The First Circuit Court of Appeals today delivered another blow to President Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Department of Education, denying the government’s request for a stay that would have lifted a lower court injunction blocking mass firings and unlawful elimination of many of the Department’s crucial services.
"Today's decision reaffirmed that the White House is not above the law and we will never stop fighting to protect our students, educators, and the resources they need to thrive," said Jessica Tang, President of the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, one of the lead plaintiffs in the lawsuit. "We hope the Administration follows the law and ends their campaign against public education. Their actions, including the mass illegal firings at the Department of Education, are jeopardizing the futures of millions of American children, especially the most vulnerable students in our classrooms.”
Additional plaintiffs include the American Federation of Teachers, the Somerville Public School Committee, Easthampton School District, AFSCME Council 93, American Association of University Professors, and Service Employees International Union.
The coalition won an injunction to stop the destruction of the Department of Education. Democracy Forward is representing them in their case, Somerville v. Trump, which is now consolidated with New York v. McMahon.
The Coalition released the following statement in response to the First Circuit decision:
“We are deeply encouraged by the First Circuit’s decision today to maintain the block that is preventing the Trump-Vance administration from proceeding with its harmful efforts to dismantle the Department of Education while our case moves forward. We will never stop fighting on behalf of all students and public schools and the protections, services, and resources they need to thrive.”
The dismantling of the Department began via mass layoffs of half of the entire Department. Prior to January 20, 2025, the Department employed 4,133 employees. If the administration’s actions are allowed to proceed, just 2,183 would remain. From distributing funds to helping schools educate students with disabilities, to providing support and assistance to parents and families, protecting students’ civil rights, and making sure higher education is affordable for students, the Department of Education’s work is essential to the success of students.
In addition to the mass layoffs, a presidential Executive Order and other administration statements have described the intent to close the Department and move Department programs and offices, such as the Office of Special Education Programs and Federal Student Aid, to different federal agencies with no relevant expertise or necessary resources.
The legal team at Democracy Forward on this case includes Will Bardwell, Elena Goldstein, Rachel F. Homer, Victoria Nugent, Adnan Perwez, and Kali Schellenberg.
Read the full complaint here, the preliminary injunction here, and today’s order here.