Trump admin can’t take steps to dismantle Dept of Education, federal judge rules
A federal judge has intervened to block President Donald Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Department of Education without congressional approval. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun issued an order that prevents the Trump administration from carrying out the mass-firing of DOE employees that was announced in March. The judge also mandated that any employees who were already terminated must be reinstated.
Judge Joun pointed out Trump’s campaign trail rhetoric about shutting down the Department of Education and argued that the reduction in force was a way for the administration to achieve that goal. In his ruling, Joun stated, “The idea that Defendants’ actions are merely a ‘reorganization’ is plainly not true.” He emphasized that the Department cannot be shut down without Congress’s approval, and the administration’s actions were contradictory in claiming to seek congressional approval while pursuing administrative goals.
The ruling comes on the heels of another federal judge’s decision to block the Trump administration from firing two Democratic members of the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board. U.S. District Judge Reggie Walton found that unilateral firings would hinder the board from fulfilling its purpose of overseeing federal counterterrorism policies in alignment with privacy and civil liberties laws.
President Trump’s administration has faced significant opposition from federal courts, with judges stepping in to uphold checks and balances on executive power. The plaintiffs in the Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board case argued that board members should not be fired without cause, while the administration contended that members of other congressionally created boards have explicit job protections.
The White House expressed confidence in the President’s authority to remove personnel who exercise executive authority, and they anticipate prevailing on this issue in the long run. The legal battles underscore the ongoing struggle between the executive branch and the judiciary in interpreting the limits of presidential power and the role of congressional oversight.
In conclusion, the federal judges’ rulings serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding the separation of powers and the rule of law in the American system of government. The challenges to the Trump administration’s actions highlight the critical role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability and adherence to constitutional principles.
