Map Shows States Hitting Trump With Major $6.8 Billion Lawsuit
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Nearly half of the country's states and the District of Columbia (DC) sued the Trump administration on Monday for $6.8 billion over education funding being withheld.
The coalition of 24 states and DC launched the suit against President Donald Trump, Linda McMahon in her capacity as secretary of education, the Education Department, Russ Vought as the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the OMB.
The suit alleges that the Trump administration has "unlawfully frozen over $6 billion in education funding for K-12 schools and adult education." The states say the freeze is unlawful because the funds were appropriated by Congress to be given to the states on July 1 and are currently being withheld by the president for a "review."
The Education Department and OMB have been contacted via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The states suing the Trump administration allege these funds are vital for several key educational programs and needs, including those for people learning English, technology in the classroom lessons, and extracurricular programs. The plaintiffs have said that withholding these funds "will irreparably harm the Plaintiff States, their schools, and the students and families they serve."
This is one of several suits faced by the White House over withholding congressionally approved funds.
What To Know
Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks during a Senate Appropriations hearing, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks during a Senate Appropriations hearing, Tuesday, June 3, 2025, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Julia Demaree Nikhinson, File/AP Photo
The suit alleges that the Trump administration is withholding these funds "without any statutory or constitutional authority," as Congress has already earmarked this money and the White House has no legal right to prevent congressional funds from being used.
The plaintiffs said they are eligible for the funding due to compliance with the conditions set out by the Education Department, and have submitted state plans which were approved by the Education Department. They have been receiving these funds for decades without incident until this year.
According to the plaintiffs, they received the following letter from the Education Department on June 30, the day before they were set to receive their funds:
"Given the change in Administrations, the Department is reviewing the FY 2025 funding for the [Title I-C, II-A, III-A, IV-A, IV-B] grant program(s), and decisions have not yet been made concerning submissions and awards for this upcoming academic year. Accordingly, the Department will not be issuing Grant Award Notifications obligating funds for these programs on July 1 prior to completing that review. The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President's priorities and the Department's statutory responsibilities."
This suit was launched by attorneys general from 22 states with the governors of Pennsylvania and Kentucky, all Democrats. It comes as the Supreme Court ruled Trump can lay off nearly 1,400 workers from the Education Department, overruling a previous judge's ruling to reinstate the workers.
Discussing that suit, Secretary McMahon said: "The U.S. Department of Education will now deliver on its mandate to restore excellence in American education. We will carry out the reduction in force to promote efficiency and accountability and to ensure resources are directed where they matter most—to students, parents, and teachers."
The Department of Education has not released a statement yet on this lawsuit.
What People Are Saying
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell in a press release: "The President does not have the authority to decline spending funds appropriated by Congress, and as long as this Administration continues to violate our laws, I will continue to hold him accountable."
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul in a press release: "With the start of the school year only a month away for many Illinois students, the Trump administration's illegal funding freeze is wreaking havoc on school budgets, suspending programs and causing stress and anxiety for families who depend on them."
Education Secretary Linda McMahon on the Supreme Court's ruling in a press release: "Today, the Supreme Court again confirmed the obvious: the President of the United States, as the head of the Executive Branch, has the ultimate authority to make decisions about staffing levels, administrative organization, and day-to-day operations of federal agencies."
What Happens Next
The states are suing for injunctive relief, meaning they want the freeze to end and the funds allocated to them away of the upcoming academic year. This case, like many others against the Trump administration, will likely find itself in court.
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