The Supreme Court has cleared the way for former President Donald Trump to resume his plan to shut down the Department of Education and lay off nearly 1,400 employees, overruling a lower court’s injunction that halted the effort.
Key Facts:
- The Supreme Court paused a lower court order that blocked the layoffs and broader shutdown of the Education Department.
- Justice Myong Joun had ruled the layoffs would “cripple the department” and issued an injunction to stop them.
- Three liberal justices dissented, accusing the administration of breaking the law.
- Education Secretary Linda McMahon praised the ruling, calling it a confirmation of executive authority.
- Two lawsuits opposing the plan were filed by education groups and 21 Democratic attorneys general.
The Rest of The Story:
The Supreme Court’s decision allows the Trump administration to proceed with its plan to shut down the Department of Education, one of Trump’s major campaign promises.
This includes finalizing layoffs for nearly 1,400 employees who have been on paid leave since March.
U.S. District Judge Myong Joun previously issued an injunction to halt the layoffs, arguing they would cripple the department’s ability to function.
That order was upheld by a federal appeals court until the Supreme Court stepped in.
In her dissent, Justice Sonia Sotomayor said the Court was enabling unlawful behavior: “When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary’s duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon countered, saying, “The President of the United States…has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies.”
Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious: the President of the United States, as the head of the Executive Branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies. While…
— Secretary Linda McMahon (@EDSecMcMahon) July 14, 2025
Two lawsuits challenged the move, claiming it amounted to an illegal shutdown of the department and undermined responsibilities required by Congress, including supporting special education and enforcing civil rights protections.
Commentary:
This case goes to the heart of how our government is supposed to function.
The executive branch is charged with running federal agencies and setting administrative priorities, including staffing decisions.
That power belongs squarely with the president—not unelected judges.
The Constitution clearly defines separate roles for each branch.
Congress passes laws and allocates funds.
The president oversees implementation and management, including deciding whether an agency should be downsized or reorganized.
Courts exist to interpret the law—not dictate policy or block executive action that falls within legal bounds.
In this instance, lower courts tried to block Trump from making administrative changes he campaigned on and was elected to carry out.
That’s an overreach.
No judge has the authority to micromanage the Executive Branch’s day-to-day functions.
Trump’s efforts to streamline government and cut bloated agencies reflect a broader push for accountability and efficiency in Washington.
The Education Department has long been criticized for bureaucracy and overreach.
Reform—possibly even dismantling—should be a legitimate tool for a president working to fulfill his mandate.
The argument that these changes “cripple” the department may be true—if the department’s current structure is part of the problem.
That’s exactly the point of reform.
Elected leaders are supposed to lead, not be tied down by entrenched interests and union pressure.
The dissenting justices’ claim that the administration is acting unlawfully is a political stance masquerading as legal reasoning.
If Congress believes the layoffs violate the law, it has the power to act.
It’s not the job of courts to impose their own agenda.
This ruling affirms a key constitutional principle: that executive power must be respected, even when unpopular with certain groups.
It ensures that presidents—Republican or Democrat—retain the authority to manage the government as the voters intended.
The Bottom Line:
The Supreme Court’s ruling reaffirms the president’s authority to manage executive agencies, including restructuring or even dismantling them.
Lower courts had overstepped by blocking a core function of the executive branch.
With this decision, Trump’s plan to wind down the Education Department is back in motion—bringing one of his boldest campaign promises closer to reality.
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