The Blubber

has been temporarily halted by a federal judge.

On Thursday, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston issued a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration’s executive order, which aimed to dismantle the agency and terminate thousands of federal education employees. The ruling also requires the department to reinstate those who were laid off.

How the case unfolded:

The lawsuit was brought by two Massachusetts school districts, the American Federation of Teachers, and several other education organizations. They argued that the administration’s actions amounted to an unlawful shutdown of the department, rendering it unable to perform its legal responsibilities—such as administering special education programs, distributing student financial aid, and enforcing federal civil rights protections in schools.

Judge Joun’s rationale:

In his ruling, Joun said the plaintiffs presented compelling evidence of the immediate and lasting harm caused by the cuts. He cited potential delays in financial aid, reduced access to crucial educational data, and the disruption of services for the nation’s most at-risk students.

The layoffs, he noted, “will likely cripple the Department” and impede its ability to meet congressionally mandated obligations.

What’s next:

The court ordered the Education Department to rehire the employees affected by the March 11 layoffs, effectively restoring operations while the legal battle continues.

The Trump administration’s position:

While President Trump has repeatedly called for eliminating the Department of Education, the administration insists the layoffs are part of a broader push for efficiency—not a full shutdown. Officials acknowledge that some services may be temporarily impacted during the restructuring but maintain that statutory duties will still be met.

The White House contends that any formal dissolution of the department must be authorized by Congress.

This legal challenge comes amid broader public concern over the administration’s education policies. Recent polling shows that a majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s approach to higher education, and issues like student loan delinquency and credit access remain in the spotlight.