District Judge Grants Preliminary Injunction, Halting Trump Administration’s Efforts to Close Education Department
05/22/25 – One month since the firm announced its filing of an amici brief in State of New York v. McMahon on behalf of 192 members of Congress who oppose the Trump administration’s recent efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, the court granted a preliminary injunction.
In the May 22, 2025, order, U.S. District Judge Myong J. Joun wrote, “As stated in Members of Congress’s amicus brief, ‘Congress created the Department in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education, a time when Congress recognized, from past experience, that ‘the enforcement of the civil rights laws’ could face ‘an inhospitable climate’ depending on the executive in power and the politics of the era.’ ‘But now, the Trump administration is engaging in precisely the ‘short-circuit[ing] Congress worked to prevent.’”
“By ‘eliminating the staff required to meet Congress’s requirements,’ Consolidated Plaintiffs argue that the Executive Branch is unlawfully abolishing the Department and its statutorily mandated components. [Doc. No. 70 at 38]. Amici members of Congress state that, ‘Defendants’ actions violate the Constitution’s separation of powers under which Congress holds the sole power to make laws and the Executive faithfully executes those laws.’ [Doc. No. 106-1 at 8, citing U.S. Const. art. I; id. art. II, § 3),” the order states. “I find that Consolidated Plaintiffs are likely to succeed in showing that Defendants are effectively disabling the Department from carrying out its statutory duties by firing half of its staff, transferring key programs out of the Department, and eliminating entire offices and programs.”
The firm is proud to share this victory in the face of the administration’s blatant defiance of Congress’s clear mandate. Hagens Berman’s pro bono team remains ready and dedicated to ongoing efforts in this area and looks forward to continuing to work in collaboration with congressional staff, experts and nonprofit organizations.
Read the Memorandum and Order on Consolidated Plaintiffs’ Motions for Preliminary Injunction »
Hagens Berman Files Amici Brief on Behalf of 192 Members of Congress Opposing Efforts to Close the Department of Education
04/23/25 – The firm is proud to announce that today it filed an amici brief in State of New York v. McMahon on behalf of 192 members of Congress who oppose the Trump’s administration’s recent efforts to dismantle the Department of Education.
“Defying Congress’s clear mandate, President Trump and other Defendants have begun dismantling the Department part by part—not through legislation, but through executive fiat. This, they cannot do,” the brief states.
The brief highlights how “[t]he Trump administration’s recent actions targeting the Department for closure—including terminating nearly half of the agency’s workforce and threatening to spin off the Department’s mandatory responsibilities to other federal agencies—blatantly disregard Congress’s express legislative directives,” in violation of the U.S. Constitution’s separation of powers. Citing several examples from around the country, the brief also shows how the Trump administration’s actions have, “impede[d] the Department’s ability to carry out its congressionally mandated missions” to the detriment of thousands, if not millions, of students and families across the United States.
The firm’s pro-bono team for this matter includes Steve Berman, Raffi Melanson, Breanna Van Engelen, Stephanie Verdoia, Abigail Pershing, John Grant and Dana Abelson. The team also worked in collaboration with congressional staff, subject matter experts, and several nonprofit groups in the education space.
On the Firm’s Pro Bono Task Force
04/04/25 – When our firm announced a commitment to efforts seeking to overturn Trump’s blatantly illegal directives, the response was clear, which we have been pleased to receive. Some of you inquired about specifics, to which we can share that the firm has launched a pro bono task force. Hagens Berman is dedicated to representing members of the U.S. House of Representatives to submit amicus briefs in support of the plaintiffs in the cases concerning the Trump administration’s wrongful dismantling of the Department of Education, USAID and NIH grants.
On WI Judge Susan Crawford’s Win
04/02/25 – We congratulate Judge Susan Crawford on her decisive victory in the Wisconsin Supreme Court election. Her success not only maintains the majority on the court but also underscores the resilience of Wisconsin’s democratic institutions against unprecedented financial influence. In this election, marked as the most expensive judicial race in U.S. history, Judge Crawford overcame significant opposition, including substantial contributions from high-profile figures seeking to buy our nation’s courts. Her commitment to upholding the rule of law and to protecting individual rights will undoubtedly serve the people of Wisconsin.
On the Trump Administration Targeting Law Firms
03/28/25 – As you may have read, the Trump administration is targeting law firms. Hagens Berman has been asked to join several efforts seeking to overturn Trump's directives. We understand this might make our firm a target, and a few of our clients have expressed concerns.
After due deliberation and consideration of all views, we have chosen to join the effort to stop the blatantly illegal and dangerous acts undertaken by the Trump administration.
Make no mistake where our firm stands. This is who we are, where we have come from and who we will always be.
