24 States Sue Trump Administration Over $6 Billion in Frozen Education Grants

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Left-Leaning

Why: Focuses heavily on Democratic opposition and state lawsuits, includes supportive quotes from both Democrats and Republicans, but largely centers criticism on the Trump administration's policy move.

Overview

A coalition of 24 states and the District of Columbia has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over its decision to freeze more than $6 billion in previously approved federal education grants. These grants support a wide range of K–12 and adult education programs. The decision to withhold the funds was made two weeks prior to the start of the school year for many districts, prompting widespread backlash.

States Involved in The Lawsuit

The lawsuit, announced Monday, was led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta. States involved include:

• California

• New York

• Colorado

• Massachusetts

• Arizona

• Kentucky

• Pennsylvania

• Plus 18 others and Washington, D.C.

  
  

During a press conference, Bonta criticized the move as sudden and unexplainable, saying it disrupted planning for the upcoming school year.

What’s at Stake

The $6 billion in question includes various federal education formula grants that school districts rely on annually. These include funding for:

• Programs for migrant education

• Before- and after-school initiatives

• Services for English language learners

• Professional development for teachers

  
  

A major portion—about $2.2 billion—is used specifically to support teacher training and ongoing educator development. Tara Thomas from the School Superintendents Association (AASA) explained that this funding is vital for improving teaching quality. “It’s really just funding that makes teachers better at their jobs,” she told NPR.

Federal Response

The U.S. Department of Education, named as a defendant in the lawsuit, has not issued any public statement in response to the legal action. The freeze follows a pattern: earlier this year, the Trump administration also halted $1 billion in grant funding for school mental health programs. Sixteen states had previously filed lawsuits related to that decision.

Political Reactions

Democratic lawmakers have led much of the criticism.

• Arizona Democrats Sen. Mark Kelly and Rep. Greg Stanton urged the administration to unfreeze the funds immediately, citing the early start of the school year in some districts.

• Over 100 House Democrats sent a formal letter demanding that the funds be released.

  
  

Some Republican voices have also spoken against the decision:

• Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said she “strongly opposes” the freeze and urged the administration to reverse course without delay.

  
  

Budget Context

This funding freeze is not isolated. The Trump administration’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026 budget includes the complete elimination of all the grants now being withheld. This includes the $2.2 billion earmarked for professional development and many other program-specific grants. These budget priorities signal a broader intent to restructure or cut federal education support, especially for supplemental and equity-focused programs.

Impact on Schools

Many school districts have already approved their annual budgets and entered into contracts based on the expectation that these funds would be disbursed as usual. The sudden freeze is forcing districts to scramble for alternative resources or delay planned initiatives.

In Arizona, where some schools begin their academic year as early as mid-July, local officials described the situation as “financially impossible” to manage without the expected federal support.