Attorney General Lopez has led a group of 20 attorneys general in opposing President Trump's plan to dismantle the Department of Education (ED). The coalition has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block the proposal, which includes cutting half of the ED's workforce and moving student loan management and special education services, according to the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi.
Fired up by what they deem as legally and constitutionally dubious moves, Attorney General Lopez and the coalition originally filed their lawsuit on March 13, following the Trump administration's announcement. Acting after a March 20 Executive Order and President Trump's March 21 communiqué calling for immediate action, they are now asking for judicial intervention to prevent a cascade of layoffs and program transfers. Lopez, leading the charge, stated, "The Department of Education is essential, and it cannot be eliminated or incapacitated by the Trump administration without violating federal law," a statement obtained by the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi.
Voices from educational institutions have echoed concern over the potential fallout of such a shutdown. University of Hawaiʻi President Wendy Hensel higlight the gravity of the executive order, saying, "This decision threatens over 100 critical programs and hundreds of jobs across our campuses." Hawai'i Department of Education Superintendent Keith T. Hayashi also weighed in, highlighting the disruption to "critical programs that directly support our students," with the lawsuit's backing. Both remarks reflect the grave trepidations held by those at the helm of education in the state, as reported by the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi.
The attorneys general are suing, arguing that the Trump administration's plan to dismantle the Department of Education is illegal and unconstitutional, as it lacks congressional approval. They claim the move will disrupt state funding for education and shut down Office for Civil Rights locations, hurting support for vulnerable populations. These actions are said to have harmful effects on families and students nationwide.
The lawsuit includes a broad coalition of states from across the country, including Hawaiʻi, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. If the courts side with Attorney General Lopez and the coalition, it could delay the dismantling of the Department of Education, providing more protection for public education.
