Trump Administration Seeks Supreme Court's Approval to Cut Teacher Training Grants

Request for Emergency Appeal

The Trump administration filed an emergency request with the Supreme Court on Wednesday, seeking permission to cancel teacher preparation grants. The Education Department claims these grants are used to train educators on what it describes as "divisive ideologies," including diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), critical race theory, and anti-racism.

Arguments from the Administration

Acting Solicitor General Sarah Harris presented the case as part of a broader trend of litigation where a single District Court judge is exercising "unchecked power." Harris contends that the grants cost taxpayers millions, and emphasized the need for decisive action to address what she calls “micromanagement” by District Court judges.

• Harris stated, "Only this Court can right the ship − and the time to do so is now."
• The administration's appeal marks its fifth attempt to obtain intervention from the Supreme Court amid various legal challenges faced across the country.

Court Response and Implications

A federal judge in Boston ruled earlier this month that the Education Department must temporarily restore funding for the grants. The 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals denied the administration's motion to block this order, with Appeals Judge William Kayatta noting that the termination letters lacked a sufficient explanation for discontinuing funds that Congress had authorized for teacher training in under-served schools.

California Attorney General Rob Bonta, representing a coalition of eight Democratic state attorneys general, highlighted that California alone risks losing over $148 million in funding aimed at supporting teachers in high-need subjects like math and science.