A federal judge in Manhattan has issued a preliminary injunction, effectively blocking the Trump administration from cancelling over $1.1 billion in unspent aid earmarked for U.S. elementary and high schools.
This COVID-19 school aid, allocated to mitigate the pandemic’s long-term educational impact, was at the center of a legal battle initiated by a coalition of Democratic attorneys general and state leaders.
The US District Judge Edgardo Ramos’ ruling prevents Education Secretary Linda McMahon from rescinding funds provided under the American Rescue Plan Act.
This legal action, filed on April 10th, was spearheaded by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alongside attorneys general from 14 other states and Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, all affiliated with the Democratic Party.
The COVID-19 relief for schools was initially authorized by Washington, totaling approximately $190 billion, to address pandemic-related educational setbacks.
These funds were intended for crucial resources such as tutoring for students struggling with learning loss, school building upgrades, food assistance for homeless students, and other essential support services. The previous Biden administration had extended the aid’s availability through March 2026.
Trump Administration’s Rationale for Cancelling COVID-19 School Aid
However, in a March 28th letter, Secretary McMahon, a member of the Trump administration, argued that states had ample time to utilize the funds and that extending the availability period years after the pandemic’s peak was inconsistent with the Department of Education’s priorities.
The Trump administration and the Justice Department contended that reclaiming the funds served the public interest, emphasizing that taxpayer money should be used for its intended purpose and that the public health emergency had subsided.
Despite requests for comment, the Education Department and the Justice Department did not immediately respond. President Trump, who assumed office in January, has been vocal about reducing federal spending and has pledged to dismantle the Education Department.
A Legal Victory for Schools and Students
Attorney General James hailed the court’s decision as “a major win for our students and teachers who are counting on this funding to help them succeed.”
New York stood to lose $134.2 million in unspent COVID-19 school funds while Maryland faced the potential loss of the largest sum among the plaintiff states, with $245.9 million at stake.
The coalition of plaintiffs also included attorneys general from Arizona, California, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oregon, all united in their efforts to protect COVID-19 education funding.
The Ongoing Legal Battle: New York et al v. U.S. Department of Education et al.
The case, formally titled New York et al v. U.S. Department of Education et al, Case No. 25-02990, is currently being heard in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
This preliminary injunction marks a significant development in the ongoing legal challenge against the Trump administration’s attempt to block the crucial COVID-19 school relief funds.
The court’s decision shows the continued importance of these resources in addressing the lingering academic and logistical challenges faced by schools nationwide in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, almost 5 years on. This ruling offers a temporary reprieve for educational institutions relying on this vital financial support.
