In a recent lawsuit filed by Democratic attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia, it is alleged that the mass layoffs at the Department of Education are part of President Donald Trump’s unlawful plan to dismantle the agency. The lawsuit accuses the administration of undermining congressional mandates that dictate the department’s functions. Specifically, the lawsuit argues that the executive branch cannot incapacitate the Department of Education without explicit congressional direction.

The administration’s announcement to cut nearly half of the Department’s staff, affecting approximately 1,300 employees, has raised concerns among the attorneys general. They argue that these layoffs are severely impacting key offices within the Department of Education, such as the Office of Civil Rights, which is set to lose a significant portion of its staff.

Furthermore, the lawsuit highlights the detrimental effects of these layoffs on various education-related offices and programs, citing disruptions to grant distribution systems and the potential for far-reaching negative consequences for the states and their residents.

Notably, the Department of Education has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter. This legal action follows a recent court order obtained by some attorneys general to halt a Trump administration plan aimed at ending grant funding for addressing teacher shortages in K-12 schools.