Washington AG joins coalition suing to block Trump's order to dismantle Department of Education

Fox News - Mar 25th, 2025
Open on Fox News

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE), prompting a legal challenge from 21 states led by Washington's Attorney General Nick Brown. The lawsuit seeks a preliminary injunction to halt the executive order, which aims to eliminate the department and transfer responsibilities like student loans to the Small Business Administration. Brown argues that the cuts and layoffs will harm students and that the executive order is illegal without Congressional approval.

The move has sparked significant controversy, with Secretary of Education Linda McMahon supporting the reduction of what she calls 'bureaucratic bloat.' Critics, however, warn that the layoffs have already led to the closure of the Office of Civil Rights outreach services, affecting investigations into discrimination and sexual assault cases. The lawsuit claims that the administration's actions violate the Administrative Procedures Act, highlighting a broader battle over federal versus state control of education and the future of educational governance in the U.S.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant examination of a significant policy shift proposed by the Trump administration, focusing on the executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. It effectively highlights the legal challenges and potential impacts on educational services, engaging with a topic of considerable public interest and potential controversy.

While the article is generally clear and accessible, it could benefit from a more balanced representation of perspectives, particularly those supporting the executive order. The inclusion of diverse sources and expert opinions would enhance the depth and credibility of the reporting.

Overall, the story captures an important and contentious issue with implications for federal and state governance, educational equity, and administrative law, making it a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions about education policy and government authority.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The story claims that President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, which aligns with the factual context of the administration's efforts to reduce federal oversight in education. However, the article should specify whether there is a legal basis for such an action without congressional approval, as dismantling a federal department typically requires legislative action. The story accurately reports the involvement of 20 states, including Washington, in a lawsuit against this order, which is well-documented and verifiable.

The article mentions layoffs and the transfer of responsibilities, such as student loans to the Small Business Administration, which are significant claims requiring verification. These claims are partially supported by the broader context of administrative restructuring efforts under the Trump administration. However, specific details about the impact on services and the legality of these actions under the Administrative Procedures Act need more precise evidence or expert legal analysis to confirm their accuracy.

Overall, while the story captures the primary events and reactions, it could benefit from additional context or expert opinions to substantiate claims about legal violations and the broader impact on educational services.

6
Balance

The article predominantly presents the perspective of those opposing the executive order, particularly focusing on the actions and statements of Washington's Attorney General and other Democratic states. This focus might suggest a bias towards one side of the issue, as it lacks a detailed exploration of the Trump administration's rationale for the executive order.

While it does mention Secretary of Education Linda McMahon's praise for reducing 'bureaucratic bloat,' this is a brief mention and does not provide a comprehensive view of the administration's arguments or the potential benefits they perceive in such restructuring. A more balanced article would include more detailed arguments from the administration or supporters of the executive order, providing readers with a fuller picture of the motivations and expected outcomes from both sides.

The lack of opposing viewpoints or detailed arguments from the administration may lead to an imbalanced presentation, limiting the reader's ability to fully understand the complexities and different perspectives surrounding the issue.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear in its language and structure, providing a straightforward account of the events and reactions related to the executive order. It follows a logical flow, starting with the announcement of the executive order and moving through the legal challenges and potential impacts.

However, some sections could be more detailed, particularly regarding the legal arguments and the specific roles of different federal departments in education. This would help clarify the significance of the changes proposed by the executive order and the implications for various stakeholders.

While the article maintains a neutral tone, the complexity of the legal and administrative issues involved might benefit from additional explanation or context, particularly for readers not familiar with federal administrative procedures or educational policy.

5
Source quality

The article cites statements from Washington's Attorney General and mentions Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, which are credible sources concerning the legal and administrative aspects of the story. However, the article does not clearly attribute these statements to direct quotes or press releases, which would strengthen source transparency.

There is a reliance on potentially partisan perspectives, particularly from Democratic states' officials, without a corresponding depth of sourcing from the Trump administration or independent experts. This could affect the perceived impartiality of the reporting. Including more diverse sources, such as legal experts or educational policy analysts, could enhance the credibility and depth of the article.

The overall source quality is mixed due to the lack of direct citations or a broader range of authoritative voices, which could provide a more rounded view of the situation.

6
Transparency

The article provides a basic outline of the situation, including the executive order, the lawsuit, and the claimed impacts on educational services. However, it lacks detailed explanations of the methodology or evidence supporting the claims made by either side.

Transparency would be improved with more explicit disclosure of the sources of information, such as whether statements were obtained from press releases, interviews, or public records. Additionally, the article does not discuss potential conflicts of interest or biases that the involved parties might have, which could influence their perspectives or actions.

The article could benefit from more context about how the executive order fits within broader educational policy debates or historical precedents, which would help readers understand the basis for the claims and the stakes involved in the legal and political processes.

Sources

  1. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-executive-order-education-department/
  2. https://komonews.com/news/local/washington-joins-20-states-to-protect-students-from-trumps-education-cuts-president-executive-order-elon-musk-doge-college-tuition-special-education-disability-discrimination-low-income-funding-financial-aid-testing-graduation-math-science-english-langua
  3. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/brookings-scholars-analyze-trumps-order-to-dismantle-the-department-of-education/
  4. https://www.kuow.org/stories/washington-state-joins-lawsuit-against-trump-s-department-of-education-cuts
  5. https://www.atg.wa.gov/news/news-releases/washington-joins-20-states-protect-students-against-trump-s-dismantling-us