Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has taken legal action against the Trump administration in response to its plan to significantly reduce the workforce of the Department of Education (DOE). This move, announced on March 11, aims for a "total shutdown" of the department. Nessel, along with attorneys general from 20 other states, filed a lawsuit to prevent what they describe as the targeted dismantling of an essential federal agency.
"In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the first piece of legislation that opened the doors for children with disabilities nationwide," stated Nessel. She expressed concern over the administration's decision, calling it "dangerous, reckless, and unacceptable."
The DOE plays a critical role in supporting nearly 18,200 school districts and over 50 million K-12 students across approximately 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools in the United States. In Michigan alone, more than 1.4 million K-12 students benefit from DOE programs. These include special education services for students with disabilities and support for low-income families.
The lawsuit argues that dismantling DOE will severely impact states like Michigan by depriving students with special needs of vital resources. It also highlights potential disruptions to financial aid processing, which could increase costs for college students seeking loans and grants.
Attorney General Nessel and her colleagues assert that the administration's actions are illegal and unconstitutional since Congress authorizes DOE as an executive agency. They contend that any significant changes require legislative approval.
The coalition includes attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawai'i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont and the District of Columbia.