A federal judge on Oct. 16, 2025, paused the Trump administration's latest round of layoffs, which targeted more than 4,000 federal workers at a range of agencies, including 466 workers at the Department of Education. U.S. District Judge Susan Illston said that the administration's layoffs, which it has justified because of a lapse of funding during the government shutdown, are 'both illegal and in excess of authority' and called them 'arbitrary and capricious.' The Trump administration is expected to appeal the judge's decision. The Trump administration first eliminated about half of the Department of Education's more than 4,200 positions in March 2025. This latest round of cuts would eliminate almost all of the work of the remaining Department of Education offices, including that of the Office of Special Education Programs. OSEP is responsible for ensuring children with disabilities across the U.S. receive a free, appropriate public education, as required by federal law. Amy...
learn more
