Trump administration asks SCOTUS to green light Education Dept. grant cuts
The Trump administration is continuing its efforts to crack down on diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the Education Department by seeking approval from the Supreme Court to slash hundreds of millions of dollars in grants. The Justice Department has filed an emergency appeal asking the court to lift a nationwide injunction that is currently preventing the administration from terminating grants under the Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) and Supporting Effective Educator Development (SEED) programs.
The dispute began when U.S. District Judge Myong Joun ordered the restoration of the grants through a temporary restraining order, which was later upheld by the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The administration is now challenging this decision, arguing that federal courts are overstepping their jurisdiction by compelling the government to continue funding programs that it deems inconsistent with the interests of the United States.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris criticized the injunction in the filing, questioning whether a single district court judge should have the power to force the government to spend millions of taxpayer dollars on programs that may never be recovered. The administration is urging the Supreme Court to intervene and put an end to what it sees as an unconstitutional overreach by federal district courts.
The appeal will be reviewed by Justice Jackson based on jurisdiction, and a briefing schedule will be set to determine the next steps. The Supreme Court has requested a response from the opposing parties, which include eight states led by California, by Friday at 4 p.m. The states argue that the grants are crucial for addressing teacher shortages in underserved communities.
President Trump has been vocal in his opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, signing an executive order to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department. The administration has already begun cutting contracts it deems as “woke” and wasteful, as part of its broader overhaul of the department’s work.
This appeal is just one of several emergency appeals filed by the Justice Department in recent weeks, as the administration faces legal challenges to its policies on various fronts. The Supreme Court’s decision on this case could have far-reaching implications for the administration’s ability to implement its agenda.
In conclusion, the Trump administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court reflects its ongoing efforts to reshape the Education Department and prioritize its own agenda over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. The outcome of this case will be closely watched as it has the potential to set a precedent for future challenges to federal funding decisions.
