A federal judge has put the brakes on an ambitious proposal that would have dismantled the U.S. Department of Education, temporarily blocking a move with far-reaching implications for schools and students nationwide. The executive order at the center of the dispute called for closing the department, cutting thousands of positions, and shifting major responsibilities elsewhere—such as moving student loan operations to the Treasury Department and placing special education oversight under Health and Human Services. The plan sparked immediate controversy for the scale and speed of its proposed changes.
Opponents quickly raised alarms, arguing the proposal would upend federal funding systems, weaken student protections, and create widespread confusion. A coalition of states, school districts, educators, and civil rights groups challenged the order in court, contending that a president cannot dissolve a congressionally established department without legislative approval. The judge sided with that argument, issuing a preliminary injunction that pauses the order, restores affected jobs, and blocks any transfer of responsibilities while the case proceeds.
In the ruling, the court underscored that such a sweeping reorganization would fundamentally alter laws passed by Congress and therefore exceeds executive authority. The decision safeguards core functions that touch everyday life for millions of Americans, including federal student loans, special education programs, and civil rights enforcement. Advocates stressed that abrupt structural changes could delay aid, disrupt services, and leave vulnerable students with fewer protections during the transition.
Reaction to the decision has fallen sharply along political lines. Supporters of public education applauded the court for preserving stability and oversight, while critics accused the judiciary of overstepping and argued the plan would have shifted control back to states and local communities. For educators, administrators, and students, the pause offers short-term certainty but little clarity about the long term. With an appeal already announced, the case is poised to become a defining test of how far presidential authority can reach when it comes to reshaping federal agencies.