NJ Joins Multistate Lawsuit Against Trump Admin's Plan to Dismantle Department of Education

Coalition challenges mass layoffs and potential agency shutdown

TRENTON, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general in filing a lawsuit against the Trump Administration to prevent the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The legal action responds to the administration's March 11 announcement to lay off approximately 50% of ED's workforce, aiming for a "total shutdown" of the department. ​

“Trump’s flagrant attempts to dismantle the Department of Education by executive action are blatantly illegal, and they will harm millions of students, teachers, and families in New Jersey who depend on the vital services and funding the Department of Education provides,” said Attorney General Platkin. “As I have said, President Trump is not a king, and he cannot unilaterally decide to close a Cabinet agency. We are taking the Trump Administration to court again to prevent the Trump Administration from inflicting grave harm on our state’s schools, and especially our special needs students.”

The Department of Education serves nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million K-12 students across approximately 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools nationwide. Its higher education programs support more than 12 million postsecondary students annually. Key beneficiaries include students with disabilities and those from low-income families, who rely on federal funds for special education services, assistive technology, teacher salaries, transportation, physical and speech therapy, and social work support. 

The proposed layoffs are expected to incapacitate the department, hindering its ability to perform essential functions. This includes processing financial aid, enforcing civil rights protections, and supporting disadvantaged and special needs students. The administration's actions could lead to significant losses or delays in funding and support, negatively impacting various aspects of K-12 education in the affected states.

The coalition contends that the Executive Branch lacks the legal authority to unilaterally dismantle the Department of Education without Congressional approval. They argue that such actions are both illegal and unconstitutional, as only Congress has the power to eliminate or alter the functions of federal agencies.

Joining Attorney General Platkin in the lawsuit are the attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and the District of Columbia. ​

Attorney General Platkin emphasized the potential harm to New Jersey's educational system, stating that President Trump cannot unilaterally decide to close a Cabinet agency. He expressed concern that the administration's actions would harm millions of students, teachers, and families in New Jersey who depend on the vital services and funding provided by the Department of Education.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to halt the administration's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education by drastically cutting its workforce and programs, aiming to protect the educational rights and resources of students nationwide.