Federal Judge Orders ED to Reinstate Laid Off Employees, Blocks ED From Transferring Functions to Other Departments
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
In response to the Trump administration’s efforts to dissolve the Department of Education (ED), a federal judge on Thursday blocked the department’s reduction in force (RIF), ordered the administration to reinstate those employees, and blocked ED from transferring management of federal student loans and special education functions to other government agencies.
U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, in his 88-page opinion, wrote that ED’s RIF has disrupted services for students, families, and institutions. Furthermore, he wrote that ED’s RIF and Trump’s executive order are an attempt to dissolve ED without Congressional authorization.
“Defendants argue that the RIF was implemented to improve ‘efficiency’ and ‘accountability’ in the Department,” Joun wrote in his opinion. “The record abundantly reveals that Defendants’ true intention is to effectively dismantle the Department without an authorizing statute.”
Earlier in March, ED announced its RIF, which laid off nearly half of the department's employees. Trump, shortly thereafter, signed an executive order seeking to dissolve ED. Since then, department officials have defended the move, even saying the RIF “will not directly impact students and families.” However, a recent NASFAA survey found that 59% of institutions reported noticeable changes in the responsiveness from the Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) or delays in processing timelines since the RIF.
Joun specifically called out disruptions to FSA, writing that ED’s RIF has resulted in the elimination “of most, if not all” essential offices within the office. In his ruling, Joun blocked ED from implementing ED’s RIF, Trump’s executive order, and ED’s ability to transfer out federal student loans and special education functions to other government agencies. ED must also reinstate federal employees who were terminated on or after January 20, 2025, which was Trump’s inauguration day.
Madi Biedermann, ED’s deputy assistant secretary for communications, told The Hill that ED will challenge this order on an emergency basis.
“Once again, a far-left Judge has dramatically overstepped his authority, based on a complaint from biased plaintiffs, and issued an injunction against the obviously lawful efforts to make the Department of Education more efficient and functional for the American people,” Biedermann told The Hill.
Stay tuned to Today’s News for more updates on this order.
Publication Date: 5/23/2025
Armand R | 5/23/2025 11:21:33 AM
Another liberal district judge overstepping their constitutional boundaries and enforcing his will on the President (and the people) of the United States. It won't stand.
In the real world, businesses are often forced to lay off employees to remain competitive. Typically, that means workers are taking on extra responsibilities. In my position, I do the work that in larger universities is done by several departments. ED employees can work a little harder if it helps the country as a whole.
As for the NASFAA survey - higher ed is populated mostly by far left idealogues (most of whom hate President Trump); of course it will return results that align with the beliefs of those who voted against him. Also, there is no benchmark in the survey. To what are we comparing the findings?
David S | 5/23/2025 9:39:20 AM
“Once again, a far-left Judge has dramatically overstepped his authority, based on a complaint from biased plaintiffs, and issued an injunction against the obviously lawful efforts to make the Department of Education more efficient and functional for the American people,” Biedermann told The Hill.
"...biased plaintiffs...more efficient and functional..." Thanks for my laugh of the day.
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