President Donald Trump expressed his support for the Supreme Court’s ruling this week, which allows the Department of Education to move forward with plans to significantly reduce its workforce in an effort to lessen bureaucracy.
“This is a major win for the Department of Education at the Supreme Court. We aim to return education control to the states and limit federal involvement. Sure, we’ll keep some oversight, but overall, we really prefer that English is the primary focus,” he stated.
Both the 45th and 47th Presidents celebrated this ruling on the True Society platform, dubbing it a “significant victory for parents and students nationwide.”
“Thanks to this important Supreme Court decision, our superintendent Linda McMahon can now start this crucial process. The federal government has really driven the education system down, but I believe American students can be the best, the brightest, and the most educated globally,” he added.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 on Monday, reinstating 1,400 Department of Education positions after overturning a lower court’s decision that had ordered widespread layoffs. This ruling now allows Secretary Linda McMahon to continue her initiatives related to the department.
Back in March, the Department of Education had announced its intention to cut its workforce in half to improve efficiency and address excessive bureaucracy.
Prior to the reductions, the Department of Education employed 4,133 staff members, many of whom primarily managed contractors and duplicated efforts within the agency. The Director noted that these cuts wouldn’t impact student aid, funding for special needs, civil rights investigations, or any other functions mandated by Congress, especially regarding the FAFSA implementation due by October 1.
US District Judge Myung Joon had previously blocked attempts to downsize the department in May, ruling that the administration would need Congressional approval to do so. He ordered the reinstatement of around 1,400 employees who had been let go.
The Supreme Court’s ruling lifts this injunction, and the case now returns to a lower court, though it may eventually be revisited by the High Court.
President Trump has consistently stated his desire to see the Department of Education abolished, with more power returned to states and communities. He has told McMahon to “make herself obsolete.” Although he signed an executive order proposing the dismantling of the department, since it was established by Congress during President Jimmy Carter’s administration 45 years ago, only Congress can officially disband it.
