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Attorney General Dana Nessel is fighting to protect essential services for Michigan students as Trump attempts to slash half the workforce at the US Department of Education.
LANSING—Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 20 other Democratic-led states in filing a federal lawsuit this week against the Trump administration over its drastic plan to eliminate over 1,300 jobs—almost half the workforce—at the US Department of Education.
In a statement, Nessel called the cuts “dangerous, reckless, and unacceptable,” arguing that the Trump administration is breaking the law by trying to dismantle an agency created by Congress.
The lawsuit—filed in federal court on Thursday in Massachusetts—also claims the layoffs are so severe that the department “can no longer function” and would fail to comply with its legal duty to provide support for over 50 million students in both public and private schools nationwide.
“In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the first piece of legislation that opened the doors for children with disabilities nationwide,” Nessel said. “Since then, students of all backgrounds have been guaranteed free appropriate public education. … Illegal action by the Trump Administration dismantles the Department of Education and leaves the nation rudderless to provide the necessary funding, support, and enforcement that all 1.4 million Michigan students rely upon.”
What’s happening?
On Tuesday, the Trump administration announced the US Department of Education would be firing about 50% of its workforce as part of its goal of a total shutdown of the Department.
The targeted destruction of the federal agency has since sparked outrage among public education advocates, teachers, students, and parents nationwide—specifically for the tens of millions of students who rely on the federal agency’s support to receive a high quality education.
“Children are the most vulnerable people. And when you start—as part of an administration and a part of an agenda—to take away from them, you’re at war with them,” Michigan turnaround school specialist Jocelyn Howard told The Gander this week.
Howard added: “There’s already a lack of qualified teachers and no one is gonna go into an industry where they’re firing people. So, you’re talking about larger classrooms, students that have special needs. … I think the department cuts are going to be severe.”
In response to Trump’s cuts, Nessel and other attorneys general filed a lawsuit on Thursday that seeks to stop the firing of workers—arguing that the president lacks the authority to close the department or dismantle its core work, and that only Congress has the power to make such a decision. The Court has yet to issue a ruling as of Friday; and Trump’s cuts are well underway.
Why does it matter for Michigan students?
Federal education funding helps ensure the nation’s most vulnerable students—including those from low-income families and rural communities—are able to get crucial educational resources.
The Department of Education provides direct financial support for 1.4 million Michigan students attending nearly 4,000 public and private schools—namely by funding special education services, teacher salaries, transportation, physical and speech therapies, and social workers.
In Michigan, students with disabilities and students from low-income families are some of the biggest beneficiaries of US Department of Education services and funding, Nessel said. The Department also supports students in rural communities with programs that specifically help rural districts that lack the personnel and resources needed to compete for competitive grants.
Could Trump’s cuts impact college financial aid?
Absolutely.
The US Department of Education manages about $1.5 trillion in student loans and administers key programs like Pell Grants and the FAFSA form. The layoffs have already disrupted FAFSA—with students nationwide reporting major outages on Wednesday afternoon.
The federal team responsible for FAFSA technology has also reportedly been hit hard by the layoffs, raising fears that more students could struggle to access financial aid for college.
Are students’ civil rights at risk?
Yes.
Nearly half of the US Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights staff were included in the layoffs this week—effectively gutting an office already facing thousands of unresolved cases.
Cuts could severely limit the agency’s ability to investigate discrimination complaints involving students with disabilities, racial and religious bias, and sexual violence at schools and colleges.
What’s behind Trump’s plan?
Trump and billionaire Elon Musk have openly pushed to dismantle the US Department of Education, calling it wasteful and overly influenced by liberal policies. In recent weeks, Musk’s so-called “Department of Government Efficiency” has also slashed US Department of Education programs it deems unnecessary, including education research and data collection efforts.
Are Trump’s actions even legal?
The lawsuit argues they’re not.
According to Nessel and other attorneys general, only Congress has the power to close or dismantle a federal agency. They’re seeking a court order to stop Trump’s layoffs and protect the department’s critical functions. As of Friday afternoon, that order has not been issued.
What’s next?
As the lawsuit progresses, Nessel said she remains committed to defending Michigan students from what she calls an illegal and harmful dismantling of essential educational services.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed the first piece of legislation that opened the doors for children with disabilities nationwide.
Since then, students of all backgrounds have been guaranteed free appropriate public education. https://t.co/kg4QixqnIU
— Dana Nessel (@dananessel) March 13, 2025
Attorneys general of Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington, Wisconsin, Vermont, and Washington, D.C. have also joined the lawsuit.
READ MORE: Michigan education board passes resolution condemning Trump orders
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