A surprising clash over the Department of Education is grabbing attention — and it’s not just about schools. The Trump administration is asking the Supreme Court to overturn a judge’s order that’s stopping their plan to drastically cut the agency responsible for student loans, special education, and school funding. This is about who gets to shape our children’s future and whether those choices uphold the trust we place in our democracy. Let’s walk through what’s at stake and why it matters to every family.
This is where things get tricky: dismantling a federal agency isn’t like flipping a switch. It involves real people — students, teachers, parents — and real principles about how power works in America.
What’s the Plan to Overhaul Education?
In March 2025, President Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin closing the Department of Education, arguing it traps families in a “broken system.” The order aimed to fire over 1,300 employees — nearly half the agency’s staff — and shift duties like student loans to other departments. But U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston hit pause on May 22, ruling the layoffs were an illegal attempt to bypass Congress, which created the agency in 1979. He ordered the workers reinstated.
The administration lost an appeal at the 1st Circuit Court on June 4 and now wants the Supreme Court to lift Joun’s injunction, claiming it “handcuffs” their ability to streamline government.
“This injunction essentially puts the court in charge of the executive branch,” argued Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar in the Supreme Court filing.
Why Keep the Department?
The Department of Education oversees $80 billion in annual funding for schools, ensures civil rights protections, and manages student loans for 45 million borrowers. Supporters, like the National Education Association, say it’s a lifeline for underserved students. Critics, including Rep. Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), call it a “bloated bureaucracy” that meddles in local classrooms, citing stats like only 30% of eighth graders proficient in math.
Let’s step back: cutting the agency could free up local control, but it risks disrupting funds for special education or delaying loan forgiveness, which hits families hard.
Who Controls the Classroom?
This fight is rooted in the Constitution’s separation of powers. Article I says Congress creates agencies and sets their budgets. Judge Joun ruled that Trump’s order sidesteps this, effectively “abolishing” the department without lawmakers’ approval. The administration leans on Article II, claiming the president can reorganize agencies to cut waste, like reducing staff.
But Joun called the layoffs a “backdoor” move, not a routine efficiency tweak. The Supreme Court must now decide if the president overreached or if the judge overstepped.
Reform or Recklessness?
The administration’s plan walks a tightrope between reform and disruption. They argue it empowers states to fix failing schools. But slashing staff has already slowed funding to rural districts, critics say. For many parents, it’s tough to picture their kids’ schools succeeding if federal support crumbles — and that’s where fairness comes in.
Is it okay to upend education to keep a campaign promise? And what about the workers, rehired but facing job limbo? This debate asks whether change can respect both students and the rules.
Quick Facts to Know
- Layoffs Halted: 1,300+ employees were fired in March 2025; Judge Joun’s May 22 injunction reinstated them.
- Legal Battle: The 1st Circuit upheld the injunction on June 4; Trump’s team appealed to the Supreme Court on June 6.
- Agency’s Role: Manages $80 billion in school funding and 45 million student loans, plus civil rights enforcement.
Fairness Over Power
What’s legal doesn’t always mean what’s right. The president might have some leeway to trim agencies, but gutting one without Congress raises questions about accountability. This isn’t just about laws — it’s about ensuring schools and families aren’t left behind in a power struggle.
Trust is on the line. When courts and the White House butt heads, and when students face uncertainty, it shakes our faith in the system. If we value education, we need changes that don’t sacrifice fairness.
What’s the Next Lesson?
The Supreme Court’s decision could redefine how much power a president has over agencies. A win for Trump might shrink the Department, while upholding the injunction keeps Congress in charge. Either way, this moment reminds us: education shapes our kids and our country, and it deserves decisions that put people first.
“This ruling protects the federal role in ensuring every child has access to education,” said Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association.
- Raymond, Nate. “Trump cannot proceed with gutting US Education Department, court rules.” Reuters, June 4, 2025.
- Deppisch, Breanne. “Trump admin asks Supreme Court to lift injunction blocking dismantling of Education Department.” Fox News, June 6, 2025.
- Kruzel, John. “Judge blocks Trump’s executive order to dismantle Education Department.” PBS News, May 22, 2025.