By Hank Russell
New York Attorney General Letitia James recently joined 20 attorneys general in a lawsuit to prevent President Donald Trump from doing away with the Education Department (ED). James and the coalition said they are looking to stop what they call the targeted destruction of this critical federal agency that ensures tens of millions of students receive a quality education and critical resources.
On March 11, the U.S. Department of Education announced that the agency is reducing its workforce by 50%. Those who are affected will be placed on administrative leave effective March 21.
“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”
As James and the coalition assert in the lawsuit, dismantling ED will have devastating effects on states like New York. K-12 schools in New York received $6.17 billion, or $2,438 per student, from the ED in federal fiscal year 2024. Federal funding for public colleges and universities averaged $1,256 per student in New York in federal fiscal year 2024. The administration’s layoff is so massive, the lawsuit said, that ED will be incapacitated and unable to perform essential functions. As the lawsuit asserts, the administration’s actions will deprive students with special needs of critical resources and support and gut ED’s Office of Civil Rights, which protects students from discrimination and sexual assault.
Additionally, according to James, ED would additionally hamstring the processing of financial aid, raising costs for college and university students who will have a harder time accessing loans, Pell Grants, and work-study programs. This would be particularly harmful to New York, where more students receive Pell Grants than almost any other state.
The ED noted on its website that it will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grant making.
“This administration may claim to be stopping waste and fraud, but it is clear that their only mission is to take away the necessary services, resources, and funding that students and their families need,” James said. “Firing half of the Department of Education’s workforce will hurt students throughout New York and the nation, especially low-income students and those with disabilities who rely on federal funding. This outrageous effort to leave students behind and deprive them of a quality education is reckless and illegal. Today I am taking action to stop the madness and protect our schools and the students who depend on them.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Trump administration for comment, but did not hear back as of press time.