States governed by the Democratic party file lawsuits against the Trump administration, aiming to overturn the freeze on billions of dollars allocated for public education.
More than 20 Democratic-led states, including California, Colorado, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, have filed a federal lawsuit against the Trump administration to challenge a freeze on approximately $6.8 billion to $7 billion in public education funds. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court of Rhode Island, argues that the administration's withholding of these funds violates Congress' decision to provide federal aid and the government's requirement to spend the money.
The funding in question supports programs for English learners, migrant families, teacher training, after-school programs, and classroom technology—programs Congress appropriated money for and which the states argue must be delivered as required by law. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration's action to withhold these funds is unconstitutional, in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, and the Impoundment Control Act because the executive branch did not follow proper procedures for refusing to spend money allocated by Congress.
California alone is suing for the withholding of about $939 million, with the nationwide total frozen amount estimated at $6.8 billion to $7 billion. The withheld funds correspond to programs the Trump administration proposed cutting for fiscal year 2026, although those proposed cuts have not been approved by Congress and would not affect the 2025-26 school year budgets that the freeze impacts.
The states seek the immediate restoration of the funds to avoid the significant harm the freeze would cause as the new school year approaches. The lawsuit also challenges the freeze on funds for supporting the hiring and retention of teachers in low-income areas, as well as funding for after-school and summer programs.
The Trump administration has stated it was conducting a "programmatic review" to ensure the funding aligns with the president's priorities, citing concerns about misuse of funds for agendas it opposes. However, no final decision has been announced yet on releasing the funds.
The legal challenge is active, led by Democratic attorneys general and governors, and centers on the question of the legality of the executive branch withholding congressionally appropriated education funds without proper authorization. This is the latest legal challenge against the Trump administration's decision to pause or claw back federal aid.
References: [1] CNN, "Democratic-led states sue Trump administration over education funding freeze," July 14, 2025. [2] The New York Times, "States Sue Trump Administration Over Education Funding Freeze," July 14, 2025. [3] The Washington Post, "Democratic states sue Trump administration over education funding freeze," July 14, 2025. [4] The Wall Street Journal, "Democratic States Sue Trump Administration Over Education Funding Freeze," July 14, 2025.
- The ongoing legal challenge, spearheaded by Democratic attorneys general and governors, encompasses both the education-and-self-development sector and politics, as it questions the legality of the executive branch withholding congressionally appropriated funds intended for educational programs.
- The lawsuit, which has caught the attention of General News, argues that the political maneuver by the Trump administration to freeze funds allocated for education programs is in violation of Congress' decision and necessitates the immediate restoration of these funds, particularly those supporting English learners, teacher training, and after-school programs.
