A lawsuit filed by Democratic state attorneys general aims to prevent President Donald Trump’s administration from dismantling the U.S. Department of Education and laying off approximately half of its staff. The lawsuit, brought by attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia, challenges the Education Department’s plan to cut over 1,300 jobs, reducing the workforce to 2,183 employees from its original count of 4,133.

The lawsuit argues that these significant job cuts effectively amount to the dismantling of the Department, impairing its ability to fulfill crucial statutory functions related to federal student loans, civil rights enforcement in schools, and funding for disadvantaged districts. Notably, the closure of seven regional offices of the Department’s Office for Civil Rights is cited as evidence of the detrimental impact of the proposed layoffs.

Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that Education Secretary Linda McMahon does not have the authority to eliminate essential department functions mandated by law or transfer responsibilities to unauthorized agencies. The legal action seeks to halt these job cuts and preserve the Department’s ability to carry out its required duties.

The Education Department has yet to respond to requests for comment on the lawsuit. This legal challenge underscores the contentious debate surrounding the administration’s efforts to reshape the Department of Education and the potential implications for its critical functions in supporting education and civil rights across the country.