A coalition of states has joined a multistate lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging the U.S. Department of Education’s abrupt decision to cut off states’ access to hundreds of millions of dollars in federal education funding.
Over 15 attorneys general from states and the Governor of Pennsylvania, filed suit to restore access to funds from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act (CRRSAA). The money was earmarked to help schools, teachers, and vulnerable students recover from the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
On March 28, ED informed states it was ending access to these funds—despite earlier commitments that they would remain available through March 2026. The abrupt change has thrown state education budgets into turmoil, threatening key programs supporting homeless and low-income students.
“The Trump Administration’s decision to cut this funding has thrown Maryland schools into turmoil and uncertainty and threatens valuable programs that help homeless and low-income students recover from the painful effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Maryland Attorney General Brown. “This is a breathtakingly heartless action that threatens to change children’s futures for the worse, and our Office will not stand for it.”
“Congress and the federal government made a commitment to our students, and school districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunity for our kids based on that commitment,” said Pennsylvania Governor Shapiro. “Now the Trump Administration is trying to renege on its commitments to our kids and leave Pennsylvania taxpayers holding the bag. Every Pennsylvania student deserves the freedom to chart their own course and the opportunity to succeed. I’m taking action to preserve that freedom and ensure no Pennsylvania student is harmed by the federal government’s decision to go back on its word.”
“The Trump Administration’s blatant disregard for the education of our children is on full display with this latest round of funding cuts,” said California Attorney General Rob Bonta. “With each step President Trump takes to dismantle the Education Department, he is throwing our schools into turmoil and jeopardizing the academic success of a generation of American children. As a father, I can’t stand by and let this happen. I’m taking the President to court for the 13th time to help ensure our kids get the educational opportunities they deserve.”
The lawsuit targets the loss of three essential funding programs: the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) fund, Emergency Assistance to Nonpublic Schools (EANS), and the Homeless Children and Youth (HCY) program. The funds have been used to provide classroom supplies, food, field trips, and teacher training for vulnerable student populations.
The coalition argues the Department of Education’s reversal violates the Administrative Procedure Act by arbitrarily withdrawing previously authorized funding without adequate explanation or adherence to congressional intent.
The lawsuit seeks both preliminary and permanent court orders to prevent the Education Department from terminating access to the funds and to ensure states can continue to provide critical support for K-12 students.
“Cutting off funding to some of the most vulnerable students in our state and jeopardizing programs to help students recover from COVID-19 learning loss is cruel and illegal,” said New Jersey Attorney General Platkin. “This rash decision hurts school districts across our state, throwing their budgets into turmoil and hurting their ability to provide the quality education to which students are entitled. On behalf of our students, teachers, and schools, we are filing suit to force the Trump Administration to reverse its unlawful and reckless directive.
“The school districts that received liquidation extensions have created budgets, entered into contracts, purchased raw materials, and developed project plans to conduct infrastructure improvements in compliance with federal program requirements,” said New Jersey Department of Education Commissioner Kevin Dehmer. “Through this partnership we are working to address this matter in a way that supports the districts working diligently to foster safe educational environments for New Jersey students.”
“We’re standing up to Trump not for politics, but for our students,” Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said. “Oregon won’t be bullied, and we’re taking this fight to court to protect every student and teacher who’s been caught in the crossfire of these political games.”
Joining Brown in the legal action are attorneys general from Arizona, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai‛i, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, and Oregon, as well as Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
