New York Attorney General Letitia James has taken action against the Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. On March 11, the administration announced its intention to lay off 50% of the department’s workforce as part of a broader strategy to shut down the federal agency. In response, Attorney General James, backed by a coalition of 20 other attorneys general, filed a lawsuit to prevent the Trump administration from proceeding with what they call an “illegal and reckless” dismantling of the department.
How Department of Education Affects Students and Schools
The lawsuit argues that these cuts will severely impact students, especially those from low-income families and those with disabilities. ED serves more than 50 million K-12 students across 18,200 school districts and provides funding to 12 million postsecondary students. The department distributes federal funding, supports special education programs, and enforces civil rights protections.
“This administration claims it’s cutting waste, but in reality, it’s stripping essential resources from students and families,” said Attorney General James. “By gutting the Department of Education, they are putting millions of students at risk, especially those who rely on federal support.”
The Consequences of Dismantling Department of Education
Shutting down ED would eliminate key programs and protections:
- Special Education Services: Funding for assistive technology, teacher salaries, and essential therapies would disappear.
- Federal Student Aid: Processing for Pell Grants, student loans, and work-study programs would slow or stop, making college less accessible.
- Civil Rights Enforcement: The Office for Civil Rights, which investigates discrimination and sexual assault cases, would lose critical funding.
- Support for Rural Schools: Many rural districts depend on ED-administered grants for necessary resources and funding.
New York and Other States Would Suffer
New York would be among the hardest-hit states. In fiscal year 2024, the state received $6.17 billion in federal K-12 funding, or about $2,438 per student. Higher education funding averaged $1,256 per student. If ED is dismantled, these resources will disappear, leaving schools and students struggling to fill the gap.
Legal Argument: Fighting for Federal Oversight
The attorneys general argue that dismantling the Department of Education violates federal law. Congress created the department, and the executive branch cannot unilaterally shut it down without approval. The lawsuit asserts that these cuts are illegal and unconstitutional.
Attorneys general from 20 states joined James in the lawsuit, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia.
A Pattern of Legal Challenges
This lawsuit is part of a larger effort by Attorney General James to counter Trump administration policies. Recently, she secured court orders to:
- Block the Revocation of Birthright Citizenship (February 13, 2025)
- Stop Mass Firings of Federal Employees (March 6, 2025)
- Prevent Cuts to NIH and Teacher Grant Programs (March 6, 2025)
- Protect Americans’ Private Data from Unauthorized Access (February 24, 2025)
What’s Next?
James and the coalition are asking the court to block the administration from dismantling the Department of Education. The case is moving quickly, as it could decide the future of federal education oversight.
With millions of students relying on ED’s programs, the outcome of this lawsuit could reshape education policy in the United States.
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