A coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against President Donald Trump’s administration, accusing it of unlawfully withholding nearly $6.8 billion in federal education funds intended for after-school and summer programs. The suit claims the administration was legally obligated to distribute the funds by July 1 but instead blocked the release just one day before the deadline.
Filed in federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, the lawsuit argues that the Department of Education and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) violated the U.S. Constitution and federal law by freezing funding for six education programs—programs Congress had already approved.
“This is plainly against the law,” said North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, one of the lead plaintiffs. “It violates the Constitution, the Impoundment Control Act, and common sense. This isn’t a close call.”
Under the Impoundment Control Act of 1974, the executive branch is required to notify Congress if it intends to delay or cancel spending that has already been approved. The Trump administration did neither, plaintiffs argue.
The affected programs include those supporting migrant farm workers’ children, English language learners, teacher training, immigrant student scholarships, LGBTQ+ education content, and after-school enrichment. Many school districts had already budgeted for these initiatives and were relying on the funds for the upcoming academic year.
In a notice issued on June 30, just one day before the funds were due to be released, the Department of Education informed states that the money would be withheld due to an “ongoing programmatic review.” An OMB spokesperson later claimed that preliminary findings revealed a “misuse of grant funds” to promote what they called a “radical left-wing agenda.”
Democratic officials rejected that reasoning, calling it vague and ideologically driven. “This freeze has upended planning across school districts, especially in high-poverty and rural communities,” said Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey. “Students with the greatest need will suffer the most.”
Christy Gleason, executive director of Save the Children Action Network, said her organization’s after-school programs in 41 rural schools are now at risk. “Time is of the essence,” she urged. “It’s not too late to act and ensure that the kids who depend on these programs don’t lose them.”
The lawsuit accuses the Trump administration of undermining congressional authority over federal spending and ignoring required procedures under administrative law. School districts in Massachusetts, national education groups, and 21 Democratic attorneys general are also backing the legal challenge.
Jackson warned of immediate consequences if the courts don’t intervene swiftly. “This could mean nearly 1,000 educators losing their jobs and a drastic cut to essential youth services,” he said. “Eliminating after-school programs has never been a good idea—and doing so now, as schools reopen, is especially dangerous.”
