• Federal Judge Myong Joun has blocked Trump's plan to dismantle the Education Department.
• The ruling orders the reinstatement of over 1,300 terminated employees.
• The judge criticized the administration for attempting to shut down the department without congressional authorization.
• This injunction responds to lawsuits from various states and education groups claiming irreparable harm.
• Trump's administration is expected to appeal the ruling while asserting it aimed at improving efficiency.

A federal judge on Thursday, May 22, issued a preliminary injunction that blocks President Trump's administration from dismantling the Department of Education. U.S. District Judge Myong Joun mandated the reinstatement of over 1,300 employees who were terminated as part of mass layoffs, labeling the administration’s actions an attempt to "effectively dismantle the department without an authorizing statute," according to Reuters and HuffPost.

The court’s ruling stems from lawsuits filed by education groups and Democratic attorneys general from 20 states, who argued that the layoffs would prevent the department from fulfilling its statutory responsibilities, including special education support and civil rights enforcement. Judge Joun highlighted that layoffs of this magnitude would "likely cripple the Department," according to Newsweek and The Hill.

In his injunction, Judge Joun stated that there is no evidence supporting the Trump administration's claim that its reduction-in-force (RIF) would improve efficiency. Instead, the judge noted the actions appeared to be aimed at an illegal shutdown of the department, which can only be executed through congressional action, as emphasized by sources like ABC News and Los Angeles Times.

Following the ruling, the Trump administration expressed intentions to appeal. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the layoffs as lawful and necessary for improving operational efficiency. However, Judge Joun's decision marked a significant barrier to this agenda, as reported by The New York Times and Business Insider.

The court’s ruling underscores the ongoing legal battles regarding education policy and the Trump administration's commitment to reducing federal oversight and funding in public education, as noted by India Times and Salon.