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A federal judge has halted the Trump administration's attempt to dismantle the Department of Education. On Thursday (May 22), U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ruled against the administration's plan to fire thousands of department employees, stating that the move was a covert effort to eliminate the department without congressional approval. The judge's decision also prevents the department from transferring its functions to other agencies and requires the reinstatement of employees terminated since President Donald Trump's inauguration.
According to Politico, Judge Joun, a Biden appointee, emphasized that the administration's actions were not a simple reorganization but an attempt to dismantle the department. The ruling is part of a series of court decisions aimed at blocking the Trump administration's efforts to drastically alter federal agencies.
The judge's order follows other rulings that have challenged the administration's actions regarding the Department of Education. For instance, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman recently ordered the restoration of grant funding to the Southern Education Foundation, which was cut as part of the administration's efforts to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The Trump administration's plan to reduce the department's workforce was presented as a bid for efficiency. However, Judge Joun noted that it had disrupted services for students, families, and states, making processes less efficient.