From freezing university funding to efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (ED), schools, teachers unions, and state leaders have tried to halt the Trump administration's education agenda at every opportunity.
Since taking office in January, the administration has faced about 70 education-related lawsuits as of Dec. 22, many of which are still ongoing, according to review Education Week. Most of the legal problems arose due to the termination of grants, attempts dismantle department. and anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) directives.
Some of the grants that ED sought to stop included explicit references to prioritizing certain races and genders, such as mental health grants The original plan was to send more health experts to schools. And yet lawsuit 16 Democratic-led states pioneered. forced The Department renewed the grants at the end of the year even though ED provided an alternative that accomplished the same purpose without discrimination.
The end of grants prompted 11 lawsuits in 2025, according to Education Week.
At least 10 lawsuits stemmed from mass layoffs and similar actions that would ultimately challenge the Education Department. The fight to fire about 1,400 employees has reached Supreme Court after blue states tried again interfere Trump's agenda. (RELATED: Professors Association Uses Millions of Taxpayer Dollars to Undermine Trump Administration)
A protester holds a butterfly-shaped sign that reads “Education Not Deportation” during a press conference and rally at Salazar Park, in Boyle Heights, east of Los Angeles, California, June 11, 2025. (Photo by Etienne Laurent/AFP via Getty Images)
Harvard infamous battle with the Trump administration, which Ivy League school eventually wonis just one example of lawsuits caused by cuts and threats to university funding. Five legal battles this year have centered on the issue, and another five have arisen over the public education funding freeze.
Efforts to prevent men from entering women's personal spaces have resulted in five lawsuits. In particular, President Donald Trump and Maine's Democratic governor, Janet Mills, have clashed. public quarrel in February, during which the governor refused to comply with Trump's demands prohibit about men in women's sports. The ensuing funding cuts were immediately met with harsh criticism. lawsuit.
Teachers unions didn't particularly like it when administrators informed student loan borrowers that they were responsible for paying off the debt they took on. After former President Joe Biden exploited every loophole to forgive billions in debt, ED was forced decide with the American Federation, promising to continue the loan forgiveness process under several programs.
Five of the lawsuits were related to student loan repayments, according to Education Week.
Another four lawsuits were filed on immigration issues. problems. Trump administration in July agreed To trial from 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia to preserve $7 billion in federal funding for adult education and after-school programs that went in part to teach English to immigrants.
The administration's efforts to deport foreign students Students studying in the US who participated in pro-Hamas protests have also faced legal action.
Most lawsuits were filed early in the year, with April coming in first with 18 new lawsuits and March coming in second with 13, according to Education Week.
About 52 cases have already been considered in court. According to Education Week, lower courts have ruled in favor of Trump 16 times and against his administration 36 times. Higher courts were more likely to rule in Trump's favor, siding with the president 24 times and against him 28 times.
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