Federal Appeals Court Blocks Trump’s Education Department Overhaul Plans

A federal appeals court has denied the U.S. Department of Education’s request to temporarily halt a district judge’s preliminary injunction. This injunction stops the Trump administration from executing its controversial plans to dismantle the department.

Recently, Washington, D.C., along with two states, sought the court’s intervention to block the Department of Education’s announced Reduction in Force. The plan proposed to eliminate half of the remaining staff at the Department of Education and close its operations entirely.

This dismantling initiative was disclosed on March 11, 2025. Shortly thereafter, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump, and others faced a lawsuit filed in the District of Massachusetts.

Following these initial filings, a coalition comprising five labor organizations and two school districts also stepped forward to join the legal challenge.

The plaintiffs sought a court injunction against transferring specific functions from the Department of Education, an action that Trump announced on March 21. The District Court merged the two cases and, after thorough reviews, concluded that a halt to the president’s actions was necessary.

In response, the Trump administration appealed the decision and requested a pause on the district court’s order. However, on Wednesday, their request was declined.

The appellate court criticized the administration’s argument, stating, “What is at stake in this case is whether a nearly half-century-old cabinet department will be able to fulfill its statutorily assigned duties. The mass termination of employees could effectively lead to the closure of that department.” The court noted that the District Court had extensive findings and there was no opposing evidence from the appellants. Thus, they deemed the appellants’ motion for a stay unworthy of intervention.

In April, Republican senators proposed the Returning Education to Our States Act in the wake of Trump’s Executive Order to close the Department of Education. If passed, this legislation would shift parts of the Department’s responsibilities to other federal agencies, including the Departments of Interior, Treasury, Health and Human Services, Labor, Defense, Justice, and State.

Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota spoke about the department’s evolution over the years. He mentioned, “The Department of Education was established to collect educational data and offer guidance to state and local organizations on best practices. However, it has transformed into a cumbersome bureaucracy that enforces uniform policies, standards, and practices on students nationwide.”

While discussions continue around the proposed legislation, the idea of eliminating the Department of Education garners significant support among Republicans, including current Education Secretary Linda McMahon. McMahon has articulated her vision for the agency’s elimination in various forums.

In addition to seeking the department’s dissolution, the proposed legislation makes substantial amendments to educational compliance requirements. Notably, it would end the requirement for standardized testing to identify struggling schools and grant schools greater leeway to determine teacher certification standards and professional development strategies.

Moreover, Trump’s executive order directs the Department of Education to “take all necessary measures to facilitate the closure of the Department and restore educational authority to the States and local communities.” However, formal abolition of the Department cannot proceed without congressional action.

As this Republican-led bill moves forward, it parallels President Trump’s executive order and campaign commitment to fundamentally alter the American education system. The bill is set to undergo discussions in the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

This ongoing legal and political battle reflects the deeply contentious nature of educational reform in the United States. As stakeholders on both sides press their agendas, the implications for the education system could be substantial. It remains to be seen how these developments will unfold and influence educational policies across the nation.

Reported by Fox News Digital’s Preston Mizell.