Trump Administration Sued Over Cuts to Civil Rights Office in Education Department
The U.S. Education Department has been sued over significant cuts to its Office for Civil Rights (OCR), the branch responsible for enforcing civil rights in schools. Two parents of disabled students and a disability rights group filed the lawsuit, alleging that under the Trump administration, the OCR has become a tool of discrimination rather than a protector of civil rights. The lawsuit accuses the administration of sabotaging the office’s ability to fulfill its legal duties by slashing staff and prioritizing investigations that align with President Trump’s political agenda, while neglecting cases involving marginalized groups like women, girls, LGBTQ+ students, and students of color. The suit also seeks to reinstate investigators who were recently laid off and to restore the office’s capacity to investigate complaints fairly and impartially.
The Impact of Layoffs and Office Closures
Over the past two months, the Trump administration has cut the Education Department’s workforce in half, reducing the total number of employees from 4,133 to just over 2,000. The OCR, which had 12 regional branches, has closed seven of them. These layoffs and closures have caused thousands of civil rights complaints to be put on hold, leaving families and students in limbo. Fired employees and disability rights advocates describe the situation as catastrophic, with cases abruptly halted and no clear path forward for those awaiting resolution. The lawsuit argues that the administration’s actions have undermined the OCR’s credibility and its ability to act as a neutral arbiter of civil rights violations.
Political Priorities Over Civil Rights
The lawsuit alleges that the Trump administration has weaponized the OCR by prioritizing investigations that align with its political agenda. For example, the OCR has opened new investigations into programs for students of color and LGBTQ+ students, while neglecting complaints related to discrimination against these very groups. One such investigation targets a “Students of Color United Summit” in Ithaca, New York, after a conservative group complained that the event discriminated against white students. Another investigation focuses on Denver’s public school system for creating gender-neutral bathrooms. Meanwhile, pending cases involving discrimination against marginalized groups have been frozen, with no explanation from the administration.
Advocacy Groups and Parents Speak Out
The lawsuit was filed by the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) on behalf of parents whose civil rights complaints were left unresolved due to the layoffs. COPAA argues that the OCR has abandoned its responsibility to investigate complaints in a “prompt, fair, consistent, and impartial manner.” The organization emphasizes that the office’s failure to act has left vulnerable students without the protections guaranteed by law. Dozens of people gathered outside the Education Department headquarters in Washington, D.C., to rally against the cuts, with speakers like Brittany Myatt, a recently laid-off OCR lawyer, expressing their outrage. Myatt, who fought for the rights of vulnerable children, choked back tears as she recited a poem about the loss of a vital resource for schools and students.
Examples of the Human Cost
Maria Town, CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities, shared her personal story of growing up as a disabled child in public schools. She credited her inclusion in school programs—such as adaptive physical therapy, mental health counseling, and developmental assessments—with helping her envision her potential despite feeling isolated in her community. Town’s story highlights the critical role that the OCR plays in ensuring that schools provide equal opportunities for all students. The lawsuit argues that the Trump administration’s actions have eroded this progress, leaving students like Town vulnerable to discrimination and exclusion.
The Broader Context and Implications
The lawsuit is part of a larger pattern of actions by the Trump administration to undermine civil rights protections, particularly for marginalized groups. President Trump has issued orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as well as rolling back transgender rights. The OCR’s annual report revealed an 18% increase in discrimination complaints in schools during 2024, reaching 22,687 cases. Despite Congress approving a $140 million budget for the office, the administration has failed to use these funds to fulfill its obligations. The lawsuit seeks to hold the administration accountable for its actions and to restore the OCR’s ability to protect the civil rights of all students. At stake is not just the future of the OCR but the fundamental principle of equal access to education for every student, regardless of race, gender, disability, or sexual orientation.