California AG sues Trump to stop gutting of Education Department
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California Attorney General Rob Bonta is again taking President Trump to court to stop the administration from dismantling the Department of Education.
Why it matters: Public schools rely on federal funding distributed by the department, which helps make education more equitable for students, particularly those who are low-income or in special education.
- It also enforces federal civil rights laws to prohibit discrimination.
Driving the news: Bonta and 20 other Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit last week arguing the recent layoffs of nearly half of department staff were "illegal and unconstitutional."
- The cuts, meant to reduce "bureaucratic bloat," are a step toward Trump's goal to eliminate the agency altogether, which requires congressional action.
- The sudden staff reductions set to start this week would also reduce or delay funding or support "impacting nearly every aspect of K-12 education" in these states, per the lawsuit.
The intrigue: The department manages federal student loans and grants, which means the layoffs could disrupt financial aid for college students.
Zoom in: California is already struggling with teacher shortages and overcrowded classrooms due to insufficient funding, which could worsen with more federal cuts.
- About 14% of California's school district revenue came from the federal government in the 2021-22 school year, which included pandemic relief.
- That decreased to about 6%, or $8 billion, for the 2024-25 school year, per the Legislative Analyst's Office reports.
The big picture: California and other blue states are using legal challenges to halt the Trump administration's policy agenda, which includes cracking down on schools' diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
- Earlier this month, they sued Trump over terminating a federally funded teacher training program that affects San Diego schools.