In a setback for federal workers and the communities they serve, the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed the preliminary injunction in McMahon v. New York, clearing the way for the Trump administration to immediately proceed with mass layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education.
More than 1,400 employees—nearly half the agency—are being cut under the administration’s so-called “restructuring” plan. But it’s more of a wrecking ball.
Entire offices that support civil rights enforcement, special education, student loan oversight, and national data collection are being dismantled. Many of the workers being terminated are the very people who support states and school districts in delivering education services.
Ironically, it was the states themselves—red and blue—that joined the lawsuit to stop the cuts. The same administration that claims to be “returning power to the states” is now eliminating the federal staff those states rely on to access funding, enforce student protections, and deliver critical services.
AFGE Local 252, which represents majority of Department of Education employees, condemned the Court’s decision and the administration’s broader campaign to dismantle public service under Project 2025.
“This effort from the Trump administration to dismantle the Department of Education is playing with the futures of millions of Americans, and after just four months, the consequences are already evident across our education system,” said Sheria Smith, President of AFGE Local 252.
“Let's be clear, despite this decision, the Department of Education has a choice – a choice to recommit to providing critical services for the American people and reject political agendas. The agency doesn't have to move forward with this callous act of eliminating services and terminating dedicated workers.
“We call on the agency to restore our positions and let us return to work, stand up for students, and ensure every child has the support they need to succeed and build a strong future. We urge the American public to call their congressional representatives to voice their opposition to the dismantling of our agency, as there are bills in Congress that would abolish it.”
This ruling doesn’t just put federal jobs at risk—it threatens the very foundation of America’s public education infrastructure. From special education funding to civil rights enforcement, services millions depend on are being stripped away.
This Isn’t Over
While the Supreme Court allowed the layoffs to proceed, it did not rule on whether the administration’s actions are lawful. AFGE will continue to challenge these efforts in court, in Congress, and in the streets.
We’ve stopped mass layoffs before. We’ve beaten privatization schemes and unconstitutional executive orders. And we’re not done.
AFGE members make America work—and we’re not going anywhere.
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