Trump administration live updates: NAACP, NEA to sue over Department of Education

Trump Administration Live Updates: NAACP, NEA to Sue Over Department of Education Dismantling

Washington, D.C. – March 24, 2025 – In a significant escalation of tensions between civil rights groups and the Trump administration, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the National Education Association (NEA) have announced plans to file a lawsuit against the administration over its recent efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The announcement comes just days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at restructuring the department, a move that critics argue undermines public education and disproportionately harms marginalized communities.

The executive order, signed on March 20, 2025, seeks to transfer key functions of the Department of Education to other federal agencies. Under the directive, the Small Business Administration would take over management of student loans, while the Department of Health and Human Services would oversee programs related to special needs and nutrition. The order also calls for significant reductions in the department’s staff and budget, labeling the agency an “unaccountable bureaucracy” that has failed to serve students, teachers, and families effectively.

The NAACP and NEA, alongside other advocacy groups, are expected to file their lawsuit in federal court as early as today. The coalition argues that the executive order violates constitutional protections and threatens to exacerbate educational inequities. “This is a direct assault on the rights of our children to a fair and equitable education,” said Derrick Johnson, president of the NAACP. “The Trump administration’s actions will disproportionately harm Black and brown students, stripping away critical resources and protections that the Department of Education was designed to provide.”

NEA President Becky Pringle echoed these concerns, emphasizing the potential impact on students with disabilities, low-income families, and rural communities. “Gutting the Department of Education will send class sizes soaring, cut job training programs, and take away special education services,” Pringle said in a statement. “This is not about efficiency—it’s about dismantling a system that, while imperfect, has been a cornerstone of opportunity for millions of students.”

The Trump administration has defended the executive order as a necessary step to reduce federal overreach and empower states to manage education more effectively. Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon stated, “We’re putting power back in the hands of parents and local communities, where it belongs. The Department of Education has too often been a roadblock to innovation and success.”

Legal experts anticipate that the lawsuit will focus on several key issues, including whether the executive order exceeds presidential authority and whether it violates the Administrative Procedure Act, which governs how federal agencies implement policy changes. The plaintiffs are also expected to argue that the dismantling of the Department of Education infringes on federal civil rights laws, particularly those protecting students from discrimination based on race, disability, or socioeconomic status.

This legal battle marks the latest in a series of clashes between the Trump administration and civil rights organizations since the president took office earlier this year. The administration’s broader agenda, which includes rolling back diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and freezing certain federal education funds, has drawn sharp criticism from advocates who warn of a return to policies reminiscent of the Jim Crow era.

As the case moves forward, education advocates across the country are mobilizing to support the NAACP and NEA’s efforts. Grassroots campaigns and protests are being organized to pressure Congress to intervene and protect the Department of Education. Meanwhile, the administration shows no signs of backing down, with President Trump doubling down on his promise to “drain the swamp” of federal bureaucracy.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have far-reaching implications for the future of public education in the United States, particularly for the nation’s most vulnerable students. Updates on the case and reactions from stakeholders will continue to unfold as the legal proceedings begin.