The Trump administration is seeking the U.S. Supreme Court’s intervention to implement significant personnel reductions within the U.S. Department of Education. Solicitor General D. John Sauer has requested the court to lift an injunction issued by a federal judge in Massachusetts, which halted the administration’s plans for staffing cuts. The injunction, issued by District Court Judge Myong J. Joun, blocked President Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon from executing an executive order that aimed to close the Education Department. The court also mandated the reinstatement of approximately 1,400 employees who were slated to lose their jobs.

Judge Joun emphasized the importance of maintaining the Department’s operational capacity, stating that a department lacking sufficient employees cannot fulfill its mandated functions. The injunction additionally prevented Trump from transferring the federal student loan portfolio and special education programs to other agencies. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit supported Judge Joun’s decision, citing the detrimental impact of the proposed staffing reductions on the Department’s ability to carry out its statutory obligations.

The Trump administration argues that the staffing cuts are intended for streamlining purposes and fall within the Executive’s authority, emphasizing that only Congress can dismantle the Education Department. To demonstrate its commitment to the department’s continuity, the administration has submitted a substantial funding request for the upcoming fiscal year. This legal battle, stemming from the administration’s efforts to downsize and potentially close the Education Department, involves multiple plaintiffs, including states, unions, and school districts.