On Monday, a coalition of Democratic-led states filed lawsuits against the Trump administration, demanding that a federal court unblock nearly $7 billion in education funds frozen by the Department of Education. The states accuse Trump of unlawfully withholding critical funds that Congress allocated to help low-income students.
This new legal battle is just the latest in a series of disputes between states and the federal government over Trump’s moves to halt or take back federal funding. Courts have often sided against the administration in similar cases, though the Trump administration scored a victory at the Supreme Court in April.
The lawsuit targets a decision made late last month by the Trump administration to pause payments for six education programs while the government reviews whether they align with Trump’s priorities. These programs include support for immigrant students learning English, after-school and summer programs, and efforts to hire and retain teachers in low-income communities.
The states argue that the administration’s decision to withhold these funds goes against Congress’ intent to provide the money. In their suit, they say the government is breaking the law by not spending the money as Congress had intended. Historically, these funds are made available to states starting around July 1.
The lawsuit states: “Defendants’ actions now jeopardize these critical programs – the loss of which has irreparably harmed and will irreparably harm the Plaintiff States, their schools, and the students and families they serve.”
The states, including more than 20 Democratic state attorneys general and two Democratic governors, are asking a federal court in Rhode Island to rule that the freeze is unconstitutional and to force the administration to stop blocking the funds.
