A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration from dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, ordering the rehiring of nearly 2,000 employees who were recently dismissed.
The decision came in response to legal action filed by educators, school districts, and unions after the administration began cutting staff and shifting responsibilities without congressional approval.
The attempt to eliminate the department began with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, who argued the move would improve government efficiency. His team claimed the changes were administrative and aimed at streamlining services. However, Judge Myong Joun ruled that the firings and reassignments were not just a matter of reorganization, but part of a broader effort to weaken the department without legal authority.
The court found that the administration had contradicted itself. Officials admitted they needed Congress to approve a formal shutdown, yet continued to dismantle the department through executive action. Judge Joun, who was appointed during the Biden presidency, called the actions misleading and said they had already caused disruption for students, teachers, and families.
The preliminary injunction issued on Thursday directs the government to restore the department to its previous state before the executive order was enacted. It also prevents any further attempts to transfer the department’s roles to other agencies or continue large-scale layoffs. The judge emphasized that an agency can’t function if it no longer has the staff needed to do its job.
Since the executive order was signed, about half the department’s workforce had been terminated under a program known as the Department of Government Efficiency. The initiative, led by Education Secretary Linda McMahon and promoted by Elon Musk, was designed to cut federal spending and reduce the size of government. Critics have called it reckless and politically motivated.
McMahon defended the cuts as a way to prioritize students and families. However, during a recent congressional hearing, lawmakers pushed back, accusing her of violating the law by withholding funds and pushing an agenda that bypassed democratic processes. They argued the administration was ignoring the role of Congress and destabilizing the nation’s education system.
The lawsuit that led to Thursday’s court order was filed by groups who said the mass firings were illegal and harmful. They argued the Department of Education plays a critical role in enforcing civil rights, managing grants, and supporting schools across the country. Without it, many communities could lose essential services.
The ruling blocks further damage while the court considers the full case. It also marks a major setback for Trump’s broader push to shrink or eliminate entire federal departments without legislative backing. For now, the department will continue its work with the staff it had before the cuts, and the administration must hold off on any further changes.
This decision offers temporary relief to those affected and leaves the future of the department in question as the legal battle continues. The case is likely to shape how far presidents can go in reshaping federal agencies through executive orders alone.