The Trump administration faced a setback on Wednesday as a federal appellate court upheld a lower court’s decision to temporarily block the U.S. Education Department from proceeding with layoffs affecting nearly half of its workforce, which consists of over 4,000 individuals.
Legal efforts initiated by the administration sought to overturn a preliminary injunction imposed by a Massachusetts District Court judge, which halted a significant “reduction in force” announcement made by Education Secretary Linda McMahon in March.
In a 26-page ruling, a three-judge panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston denied the administration’s request on Wednesday.
The Trump administration may still pursue an appeal to the Supreme Court to contest the injunction.
If the injunction is maintained, the Education Department will be unable to execute significant staff reductions while various lawsuits regarding the layoffs are processed through both the district and appellate court systems.
The lawsuits, filed by 21 states, five labor unions, and two school districts, argue that the proposed workforce cuts breach the U.S. Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act.
Chief Judge David Barron highlighted the implications of the case, stating, “What is at stake in this case, the District Court found, was whether a nearly half-century-old cabinet department would be permitted to carry out its statutorily assigned functions or prevented from doing so by a mass termination of employees aimed at implementing the effective closure of that department.”
Democracy Forward, a legal advocacy organization representing the plaintiffs in this case, expressed optimism about the First Circuit’s decision, stating, “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.”
The group emphasized its commitment to advocating for students, public schools, and the essential services and resources they require to succeed.
Finance Newso has reached out to the Education Department for comment.
