Official White House photo by Shealah Craighead
SC Clears Way For Trump To Cut Education Dept
The United States Supreme Court has ruled in favour of the Trump administration, allowing it to proceed with a major restructuring of the Department of Education, including the planned layoff of around 1,400 employees. The decision overturns a lower court’s injunction that had temporarily blocked the move.
The ruling, passed by a 6–3 majority, now permits the government to begin implementing its reorganisation plan even as legal appeals continue in lower courts.
Key Functions To Be Shifted
According to the plan proposed by the Trump administration, core functions such as student financial aid, civil rights enforcement, and special education services will be redistributed to other federal departments. The Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, and Health and Human Services are among the agencies expected to take over specific responsibilities.
While the Department of Education will continue to exist for now, the ruling enables the White House to significantly reduce its size and operations.
Opposition And Legal Debate
Liberal justices on the Supreme Court dissented, warning that the move poses a serious challenge to the constitutional balance of powers. They argued that executive action alone should not be enough to effectively sideline a major federal department without Congressional approval.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from education advocacy groups and public-sector unions, who argue that the layoffs could undermine the delivery of essential services to millions of students.
What Happens Next
Though the Supreme Court’s decision clears the way for immediate restructuring, the full dismantling of the Department of Education still requires approval from Congress. Meanwhile, the legal battle is expected to continue, and several pending lawsuits may influence the extent of the reorganisation.
