The U.S. Supreme Court has given the green light to President Donald Trump’s administration to move forward with plans to lay off approximately 1,400 employees at the Department of Education, delivering another major legal victory for the White House.
In a brief, unsigned order issued Monday, the conservative-leaning majority lifted a lower-court injunction that had blocked the layoffs. Liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor, Ketanji Brown Jackson, and Elena Kagan dissented.
“Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious: the President of the United States, as head of the Executive Branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and the day-to-day operations of federal agencies,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement celebrating the ruling.
She added, “While this is a significant win for students and families, it is unfortunate that the nation’s highest court had to intervene to uphold the President’s authority to carry out the reforms Americans elected him to pursue under the U.S. Constitution.”
Why It Matters
The decision underscores Trump’s growing influence over federal policymaking, even as some lower courts have pushed back on key administration initiatives. The White House has repeatedly criticized lower-court judges for issuing sweeping injunctions that stall executive actions—particularly on immigration and federal workforce reductions.
Monday’s ruling comes on the heels of another Supreme Court decision that permitted the administration to proceed with a broader effort to shrink the size of the federal government.
What You Should Know
The legal dispute began after U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston issued an injunction blocking the layoffs and questioning the broader intent to downsize or dismantle the Department of Education altogether. The First Circuit Court of Appeals declined to lift the injunction while the case proceeded.
The Trump administration has made no secret of its desire to eliminate the Department of Education, arguing that its responsibilities should be returned to the states. In contrast, the liberal justices argued that only Congress has the authority to eliminate a federal agency.
In her dissent, Justice Sotomayor blasted the majority for allowing what she called 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.”
She warned the decision gave the President unchecked power to “repeal statutes by firing all those necessary to carry them out,” calling the ruling “indefensible” and a serious threat to the separation of powers.
While the majority did not offer detailed reasoning—common in emergency rulings—Sotomayor criticized the court for refusing to clarify the legal basis for its decision.
What’s Next
Attorneys for the Department of Education have said that the agency will not be dismantled but will continue to operate with fewer staff. Secretary McMahon emphasized that the layoffs are aimed at increasing accountability, reducing bureaucracy, and returning control of education to states.
“We will carry out the reduction in force to promote efficiency and accountability and to ensure resources are directed where they matter most – to students, parents, and teachers,” McMahon said.
“As we return education to the states, this Administration will continue to fulfill its statutory duties while empowering families and educators.”
The layoffs are expected to proceed in the coming weeks, even as legal challenges continue.
