On Wednesday, the Trump administration requested that the Supreme Court permit cuts to teacher training funding, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars. A federal judge in Boston had temporarily blocked these cuts, stating they were already impacting programs designed to address the national teacher shortage. The administration’s request to lift the block was denied by an appeals court.
The government has now turned to the Supreme Court, arguing that the order is part of a series of rulings by federal judges across the country that are unjustly forcing it to continue allocating millions in grant funds.
The Supreme Court has called for a response to the appeal by Friday.
This follows a temporary restraining order issued by U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, which was requested by eight Democratic-led states. These states argued that the cuts were part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
The Republican president signed an executive order directing the dismantling of the Education Department, with his administration beginning to overhaul much of its operations. This includes cutting numerous contracts that were labeled as “woke” and wasteful.
Acting Solicitor General Sarah M. Harris argued that without prompt appellate review of these orders, district-court fiscal micromanagement could continue indefinitely.
The Justice Department has filed four additional emergency appeals in response to court rulings that have blocked administration actions, amidst a series of lawsuits that have temporarily slowed certain aspects of Trump’s agenda.
The Supreme Court has yet to rule on an appeal seeking to narrow court orders that have placed a nationwide hold on Trump’s efforts to limit birthright citizenship. Another appeal, aiming to halt an order requiring the rehiring of thousands of federal workers, is still pending.
The justices previously rejected a request to freeze nearly $2 billion in foreign aid and did not immediately allow Trump’s dismissal of the head of a federal watchdog agency to proceed. However, a later ruling from a lower court did result in the firing of Office of Special Counsel head Hampton Dellinger.
The two education programs in question—the Teacher Quality Partnership and Supporting Effective Educator Development—offer over $600 million in grants for teacher preparation, particularly in fields like math, science, and special education. The states argue that data shows these programs have improved teacher retention rates and helped educators stay in the profession beyond five years.
In February, the administration abruptly halted the programs without prior notice. It argues that states could temporarily use their own funds to continue supporting the programs.
U.S. District Judge Myong Joun, appointed by Democratic President Joe Biden, ruled that the cancellations likely violated federal law, which requires a clear explanation for such budget cuts.
The appellate panel that rejected the administration’s request for a stay was also made up of judges nominated by Democratic presidents.
California is leading the lawsuit, supported by Massachusetts, New Jersey, Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Wisconsin.
The administration is seeking an order from the Supreme Court that would permit the cuts to proceed while the legal battle continues.