One of President Donald Trump’s core campaign promises—to shut down the U.S. Department of Education—moved significantly closer to reality on Monday after the Supreme Court cleared the way for sweeping layoffs within the agency.
In a brief, unsigned order, the high court lifted a lower court’s injunction that had blocked the termination of nearly 1,400 Education Department employees and prevented the transfer of key responsibilities to other federal agencies. As is typical in emergency appeals, the justices did not provide a detailed explanation for their decision.
The ruling marks Trump’s second major legal win from the Supreme Court in just a week, following its approval of his broader plan to shrink the federal workforce. Together, the decisions allow Trump to accelerate his longstanding agenda of reducing federal oversight in favor of increased state control—particularly in the field of education.
U.S. District Judge Myong Joun of Boston had previously halted the layoffs, warning that the move would “likely cripple the department.” He also questioned the legality of Trump’s plan, which critics say effectively attempts to shut down the agency without congressional approval.
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Elena Kagan, issued a sharp dissent, accusing the majority of enabling executive overreach. “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,” Sotomayor wrote.
The mass layoffs, first announced in March, had left targeted employees on paid leave. Judge Joun’s earlier injunction had stopped their formal termination, although they were not allowed to return to work. Without the order in place, those employees are now expected to be fully dismissed.
The Education Department had said in June that it was evaluating how to reintegrate those on leave. Internal communications asked workers to disclose whether they had found other employment, a move the agency said was meant to “support a smooth and informed return to duty.” That plan is now moot.
The Supreme Court’s decision stems from two consolidated lawsuits. One was filed by school districts in Massachusetts and backed by the American Federation of Teachers and other education advocates. The second came from a coalition of 21 Democratic state attorneys general. Both lawsuits argued that Trump’s layoffs undermined the department’s ability to meet its legal obligations—such as enforcing civil rights laws, administering financial aid, and supporting special education programs.
Trump has long pledged to dismantle the Education Department, viewing it as part of a bloated federal bureaucracy. With Monday’s ruling, the Supreme Court has effectively given him the legal backing to fulfill that promise.
