**Trump Administration Appeals to Supreme Court Over Education Department Layoffs**

The Trump administration has requested the Supreme Court to overturn a court order requiring the reinstatement of U.S. Department of Education employees terminated earlier this year. This appeal comes after a federal appeals court upheld the ruling on Wednesday.

Officials from the administration argue that U.S. District Judge Myong Joun in Boston did not possess the legal authority to mandate the rehiring of more than 1,300 employees affected by the layoffs in March. Solicitor General D. John Sauer noted that this staff reduction aligns with the administration's goal of streamlining the Department and passing certain functions to the states.

In a preliminary injunction dated May 22, Judge Joun highlighted that the job cuts resulted in the closure of seven out of 12 offices responsible for enforcing civil rights laws, which protect students from discrimination based on race and disability. Additionally, the cuts dismantled the entire team overseeing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), a form crucial to nearly 17 million families applying for college aid each year, as noted by higher education expert Mark Kantrowitz.

The Trump administration first announced the sweeping staff reductions on March 11. Subsequently, 21 states, including Michigan, Nevada, and New York, filed a lawsuit against the administration. Following an executive order signed by President Trump on March 20, more lawsuits emerged, including one from the American Federation of Teachers, aiming to prevent the dismantling of the Education Department.

Established by former President Jimmy Carter in 1979, the Department of Education has faced numerous challenges to its existence. Apart from Trump's recent efforts, former President Ronald Reagan also called for its abolition, and during Trump's first term, there were attempts to merge it with the Labor Department.

The ongoing battle underscores the complex interplay between federal oversight and state autonomy in managing education policy. The Supreme Court's decision on this matter could have lasting impacts on the structure and function of the Department of Education.