Attorney General Letitia James Leads 20-State Crusade to Squash Trump's Alleged Attack on U.S. Education Department

Attorney General Letitia James, alongside a coalition of 20 attorneys general, is intensifying efforts to block the Trump administration's move to effectively dissolve the U.S. Department of Education. In a recent motion for a preliminary injunction, they've come together to tackle the administration's decision to ax half of the department's staff and transfer essential education services outside of its purview. "The Trump administration’s illegal cuts to the Department of Education are an attack on our educators, our schools, and our students," James told reporters, as obtained by the Attorney General's office.

With the layoffs already causing significant concerns, the closure of the ED's Office of Civil Rights locations has directly affected students and families, including those in New York, as reported by James. By dismantling the ED, the litigation argues, there's a delay in critical federal funds to state school systems—New York State Education Department alone faces a $363 million dollar hiatus. As part of the fight, James and her fellow attorneys general argue that the states depend on these billions of dollars for various educational programs, which, if left to wither, would cause widespread disruption.

The claims laid down in the litigation aren't just about the immediate consequences but also focus on the legality and constitutionality of the administration's actions. The executive branch, the argument goes, is overstepping its bounds by unilaterally attempting to take apart an agency that Congress established, with no new legislative backing for such a drastic measure. According to the coalition, this move also conflicts with the Administrative Procedures Act. The attorneys general from states, including but not limited to Arizona, California, and Michigan have put their weight behind this lawsuit and motion, as detailed by the Attorney General's office.

The recent motion for a preliminary injunction is not the first instance of James' pushback against the Trump administration's maneuvers in educational governance. Having already taken legal action on March 6 against illegal mass firings and cuts to grants for teachers, as well as safeguarding vital federal funds on another front, James has continued to take action. As far back as late February, James led a charge to prevent unauthorized access to American private information, blocking Elon Musk and DOGE associates from reaching into the U.S. Treasury's vital resources. The proceedings are ongoing.