Attorney General Mayes, along with attorneys general from 20 states, has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction in an ongoing lawsuit against the Trump administration’s plan to restructure the Department of Education. The administration’s proposal includes reducing the department’s workforce by half and transferring key services. According to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, the motion seeks immediate relief. "I am seeking a preliminary injunction to stop this chaos and preserve critical services Arizonans rely on," Mayes stated.
A coalition has responded to the recent executive order and announcement regarding the transfer of student loan management and special education services from the Department of Education. "The Department of Education was established by Congress, and it is Congress alone that has the authority to eliminate it," said Mayes. The coalition expressed concerns about potential impacts, stating, "The Trump administration's reckless and unilateral attempt to dismantle this critical agency is illegal and will harm students and families – particularly rural students and students with disabilities." State school systems have reported funding delays, and the closure of the Department's Office of Civil Rights locations has affected families and students nationwide, as reported by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
Attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Education, arguing that recent actions exceed executive authority and require congressional approval. The lawsuit also claims that staff layoffs violate the Administrative Procedures Act. Led by Attorney General Mayes, the group has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent changes to the department’s programs and funding, as stated by the Arizona Attorney General’s Office.
