Teachers union sues Trump administration as legal challenges grow over efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. On Monday, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and its Massachusetts chapter joined school districts and other unions in filing a lawsuit. The legal action targets Trump’s executive order that initiated mass layoffs and began shifting responsibilities to other agencies.
Why the Lawsuit Was Filed
The lawsuit claims that Trump’s move to abolish the Education Department is illegal and jeopardizes vital services, including special education programs, Title I funding for low-income schools, and Pell Grants for college students.
Randi Weingarten, AFT President, said:
“Trying to abolish the department sends a clear message: the president doesn’t care about opportunity, knowledge, or the future of this country.”
Impact on Schools and Students
Trump’s executive order has already resulted in the firing of over 1,300 federal employees. Although the president claims services will be “fully preserved” by other agencies, educators and advocates remain concerned about the quality and accessibility of essential programs.
The lawsuit argues that the department’s dissolution will disproportionately impact vulnerable student groups, particularly those from low-income or disability backgrounds.
Additional Reluctance and Lawsuits
The National School Association (NEA), a union representing Maryland school employees, and the NAACP are preparing a separate case.
According to Derrick Johnson, NAACP President:
“By firing half the Education Department’s workforce, Trump is destroying pathways to a better life for many Americans.”
Trump’s Defense
The Trump administration has defended its decision, pointing to low student test scores and the high cost of education as justification for closing the department. In a statement, Harrison Fields, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary, dismissed the lawsuits as “political games.”
“The NEA and NAACP have done nothing to advance educational outcomes. The latest NAEP scores prove that,” Fields said.
What’s Next?
While the executive order has set the process in motion, Congress must approve the official closure of the department. As legal battles unfold, the future of federal education policy hangs in the balance.
Source: USA Today
