‘Triggered Chaos’: Trump Admin Sued by 16 States After Funds Suddenly Yanked From Schools

New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside 15 other state attorneys general and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to cut more than $1.1 billion in education funding. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, seeks to block the U.S. Department of Education’s (DOE) move to rescind critical grants aimed at supporting low-income students and addressing the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. These funds, initially approved through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), were intended to aid schools in rebuilding and supporting vulnerable students.

The Case for Continued Funding

The lawsuit claims that the sudden withdrawal of funding, announced by Education Secretary Linda McMahon on March 28, is both arbitrary and harmful. According to the plaintiffs, the funding in question provides essential support for various educational programs, including those designed to mitigate the academic, social, and emotional impact of the pandemic. Specifically, the funds were used for school repairs, purchasing educational resources like books and playground equipment, and making schools more accessible to students with disabilities, such as the addition of wheelchair-accessible buses. In the complaint, the plaintiffs argue that the DOE’s abrupt decision to end the grants — initially set to continue through March 2026 — has created confusion and chaos among state and local education agencies. The sudden funding cutoff has forced many districts to disband programs, lay off employees, and terminate contracts with private businesses. The complaint asserts that this action has created a “massive, unexpected funding gap,” causing serious harm to students, teachers, and communities.

Legal Actions and State Impact

James, who has long been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, condemned the decision to rescind the funding, saying it would disproportionately hurt economically disadvantaged students, including those experiencing homelessness or living in foster care. She emphasized that Congress did not intend for the funds to be tied to the COVID-19 pandemic’s duration but to address the ongoing effects of the pandemic on students’ education.

The lawsuit lists the funding losses for various states, with Maryland facing the largest cut at nearly $246 million, while Minnesota stands to lose around $915,000. The filing underscores the devastating impact these cuts will have on local school districts, which had already planned projects and programs based on the funding they were promised.

Governor Shapiro echoed James’ concerns, arguing that the federal government had reneged on its commitment to support education. “School districts across Pennsylvania started construction to make schools safer, delivered supplies to students, and invested to create more opportunities for our kids based on that commitment,” Shapiro said. “Now the Trump administration is trying to go back on its word, leaving taxpayers and students to pay the price.”

The Future of Education Funding

The lawsuit calls for both declaratory and injunctive relief, aiming to stop the DOE from rescinding the grants and forcing it to honor the funding commitments made through the ARPA. By filing the suit, the coalition of attorneys general and Shapiro hope to secure the necessary resources to ensure that vulnerable students continue to receive the support they need to recover from the pandemic’s effects. James, a longtime advocate for education and social justice, pledged to continue using all legal tools at her disposal to protect the interests of students, teachers, and public schools across New York and beyond. The case will be closely watched as it progresses through the courts, with the potential to impact how federal funding is allocated to schools in the future.