James v. Trump: AG James Sues to Halt ED Dismantling

New York – In a dramatic move to protect the nation’s education system, New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration. The suit aims to halt the proposed dismantling of the Department of Education (ED), which threatens to leave millions without access to essential educational resources.

The lawsuit, led by AG James and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general, claims that the administration’s plan to fire 50 percent of the ED workforce is both illegal and unconstitutional. The department currently supports nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million K-12 students, with its services reaching beyond 12 million postsecondary students annually.

Attorney General James stated, ‘This administration’s claim to stop waste and fraud is a smokescreen. Their true mission is to strip students of the services, resources, and funding they need.’ She emphasized that low-income students and those with disabilities would be especially hard hit by the proposed cuts.

The ED’s federal fiscal year 2024 allocated $6.17 billion to New York’s K-12 schools and an average of $1,256 per student for public colleges and universities. The lawsuit asserts that the massive layoffs would render the department incapacitated, impacting special education funding, civil rights enforcement, financial aid processing, and more.

Attorney General James is seeking a court order to stop the administration’s dismantling efforts, arguing that the proposed cuts are not only illegal but also unconstitutional. The lawsuit underscores the critical role of the ED in protecting students from discrimination and ensuring they receive the quality education they deserve.

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