{"id":1848,"date":"2026-01-07T15:36:11","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T20:36:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/?p=1848"},"modified":"2026-01-07T21:40:29","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T02:40:29","slug":"dismantling-education-department","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-education-department\/","title":{"rendered":"Dismantling Education Department"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Press_Release**_0\"><strong>Press Release<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/ag\/press-releases\/2025-press-releases\/ag-tong-sues-to-stop-dismantling-of-department-of-education-and-to-protect-students\">AG Tong Sues to Stop Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Depart\u00adment of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion and to Pro\u00adtect Stu\u00addents<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Preceding_Event**_0\"><strong>Preceding Event<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>On March 11, 2025, the Depart\u00adment of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion (ED) put out a&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ed.gov\/about\/news\/press-release\/us-department-of-education-initiates-reduction-force\">press release<\/a>&nbsp;regard\u00ading a cut in the Depart\u00admen\u00adt\u2019s work\u00adforce ini\u00adti\u00adat\u00ading a reduc\u00adtion in force \u201cas part of the Depart\u00adment of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion\u2019s final mis\u00adsion.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Accord\u00ading to the law\u00adsuit, in order to work towards the com\u00adplete shut\u00addown of the U.S.\u2018s small\u00adest cab\u00adi\u00adnet agency, rough\u00adly half of the depart\u00admen\u00adtal staff had their employ\u00adment ter\u00admi\u00adnat\u00aded \u2014 about 1,950 peo\u00adple. This num\u00adber is split between those who were direct\u00adly sub\u00adject to the reduc\u00adtion, employ\u00adees that accept\u00aded what the press release called the \u201cDeferred Res\u00adig\u00adna\u00adtion Pro\u00adgram\u201d and employ\u00adees that accept\u00aded a \u201cVol\u00adun\u00adtary Sep\u00ada\u00adra\u00adtion Incen\u00adtive Pay\u00adment.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The law\u00adsuit alleged that at the begin\u00adning of Pres\u00adi\u00addent Don\u00adald Trump\u2019s sec\u00adond term in office, there were about 4,133 work\u00aders at the depart\u00adment. The work\u00adforce would be cut by approx\u00adi\u00admate\u00adly 50%, with a remain\u00ading work\u00adforce of around 2,183 peo\u00adple.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**General_Overview**_0\"><strong>General Overview<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Accord\u00ading to the press release from March 13, 2025, Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut Attor\u00adney Gen\u00ader\u00adal William Tong joined 20 oth\u00ader state attor\u00adneys gen\u00ader\u00adal in suing to stop the dis\u00adman\u00adtling of the depart\u00adment.<br>Accord\u00ading to Tong\u2019s press release, \u201cThe ED\u2019s pro\u00adgrams serve near\u00adly 18,200 school dis\u00adtricts and over 50 mil\u00adlion K\u201112 stu\u00addents attend\u00ading rough\u00adly 98,000 pub\u00adlic schools and 32,000 pri\u00advate schools through\u00adout the coun\u00adtry. Its high\u00ader edu\u00adca\u00adtion pro\u00adgrams pro\u00advide ser\u00advices and sup\u00adport to more than 12 mil\u00adlion post\u00adsec\u00adondary stu\u00addents annually\u2026The administration\u2019s lay-off is so mas\u00adsive that ED will be inca\u00adpac\u00adi\u00adtat\u00aded and unable to per\u00adform essen\u00adtial func\u00adtions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p> As the law\u00adsuit asserts, the administration\u2019s actions will deprive stu\u00addents with spe\u00adcial needs of crit\u00adi\u00adcal resources and sup\u00adport. They will gut ED\u2019s Office of Civ\u00adil Rights, which pro\u00adtects stu\u00addents from dis\u00adcrim\u00adi\u00adna\u00adtion and sex\u00adu\u00adal assault. They would addi\u00adtion\u00adal\u00adly ham\u00adstring the pro\u00adcess\u00ading of finan\u00adcial aid, rais\u00ading costs for col\u00adlege and uni\u00adver\u00adsi\u00adty stu\u00addents who will have a hard\u00ader time access\u00ading loans, Pell Grants, and work study pro\u00adgrams.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Connecticut_Nexus**_0\"><strong>Connecticut Nexus<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lin\u00adda McMa\u00adhon is a Con\u00adnecti\u00adcut native and her busi\u00adness\u00ades are also based in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Date_of_filing**_0\"><strong>Date of filing<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>3\u201313-25<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_#**_0\"><strong>Case #<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/portal.ct.gov\/-\/media\/ag\/press_releases\/2025\/001-complaint.pdf?rev=3f9ceacaba39429b9af89ca8af0ba32c&amp;hash=3ED0D4BB3570115406622B067370EE58\">1:25-cv-10601<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Case_title**_0\"><strong>Case title:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><em>State of New York, et al. v. McMa\u00adhon, et al.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Plaintiffs_20_states_and_D.C._0\">Plaintiffs: 20 states and D.C.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>STATE OF ARIZONA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CONNECTICUT,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF CALIFORNIA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF COLORADO,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF DELAWARE,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF HAWAII,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF ILLINOIS,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MAINE,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MARYLAND,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF MINNESOTA<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEVADA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW JERSEY,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF NEW YORK,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF OREGON,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF RHODE ISLAND,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WASHINGTON,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF WISCONSIN,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>STATE OF VERMONT,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Defendants**_0\"><strong>Defendants<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>LINDA McMA\u00adHON, in her offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Sec\u00adre\u00adtary of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>DONALD J. TRUMP, in his offi\u00adcial capac\u00adi\u00adty as Pres\u00adi\u00addent of the Unit\u00aded States<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Court**_0\"><strong>Court<\/strong>:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Related_case_#('s)**_0\"><strong>Related case #(\u2018s):<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>1:25-cv-11042-MJJ<br>1:25-cv-10677-MJJ<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"**Status_as_of_Dec._1,_2025**_0\"><strong>Status as of Dec. 1, 2025:<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OPEN<br>Last fil\u00ading: Nov. 26, 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n\n\n<nav class=\"is-vertical wp-block-navigation is-layout-flex wp-container-core-navigation-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-navigation-is-layout-flex\" aria-label=\"Lawsuit Index\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-background-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color has-medium-font-size has-custom-font-size wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/\" style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:800\">chrono\u00adlog\u00adi\u00adcal Index of law\u00adsuits <\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-navigation__container  is-vertical wp-block-navigation\"><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/birthright-citizenship\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Birthright Cit\u00adi\u00adzen\u00adship<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-federal-funding-freeze-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading Freeze to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/lawsuit-doges-access-to-treasury-systems\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOGE\u2019s Access to Trea\u00adsury Sys\u00adtems<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/nih-and-hhs-funding-for-medical-research\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014NIH and HHS Fund\u00ading for Med\u00adical Research<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/power-given-to-musk\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pow\u00ader Giv\u00aden to Musk<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/mass-firings-of-federal-probationary-employees\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Mass Fir\u00adings of Fed\u00ader\u00adal Pro\u00adba\u00adtion\u00adary Employ\u00adees<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-education-department\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Depart\u00adment<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/hhs-cuts-11-billion-in-public-health-grants-to-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014HHS Cuts $11 Bil\u00adlion in Pub\u00adlic Health Grants to States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/voting-rights-and-elections-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Vot\u00ading Rights and Elec\u00adtions Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/attack-on-museums-libraries-workers\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Attack on Muse\u00adums, Libraries &amp; Work\u00aders<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/stopping-tariffs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Stop\u00adping Tar\u00adiffs<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/k-12-funding-conditions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014K\u201112 Fund\u00ading Con\u00addi\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-of-americorps\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Ameri\u00adCorps<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;line-height:1;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/halting-wind-energy\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Halt\u00ading Wind Ener\u00adgy<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-hhs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Dis\u00adman\u00adtling HHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/big-oil-and-energy-emergency\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Big Oil and Ener\u00adgy Emer\u00adgency<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dhs-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DHS<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/immigration-conditions-placed-on-dot-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Con\u00addi\u00adtions Placed on Fund\u00ading DOT<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/protecting-science-research-and-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pro\u00adtect\u00ading Sci\u00adence and Research Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-funding-for-states\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Fund\u00ading for States<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/mental-health-funding-cuts-in-k-12\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Men\u00adtal Health Fund\u00ading Cuts in K\u201112<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/sharing-health-information-with-ice\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Shar\u00ading Health Infor\u00adma\u00adtion With ICE<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/the-freezing-of-6-8-billion-in-education-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Freez\u00ading of $6.8 Bil\u00adlion in Edu\u00adca\u00adtion Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/cutting-disaster-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Cut\u00adting Dis\u00adas\u00adter Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/1-8-million-people-losing-health-insurance\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u20141.8 Mil\u00adlion Peo\u00adple Los\u00ading Health Insur\u00adance<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-restrictions-on-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Fed\u00ader\u00adal Restric\u00adtions on Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/usda-demands-snap-recipient-information\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014USDA Demands SNAP Recip\u00adi\u00adent Infor\u00adma\u00adtion<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/medicaid-funding-for-planned-parenthood\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Med\u00adic\u00adaid Fund\u00ading for Planned Par\u00adent\u00adhood<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/gender-affirming-care\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Gen\u00adder Affirm\u00ading Care<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/doe-funding-cap-for-state-energy-programs\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014DOE Fund\u00ading Cap for State Ener\u00adgy Pro\u00adgrams<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-victims-of-crime-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Vic\u00adtims of Crime Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/revolution-wind-stop-work-order\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Rev\u00ado\u00adlu\u00adtion Wind Stop Work Order<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/conditions-on-sex-ed-funding\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Con\u00addi\u00adtions on Sex Ed Fund\u00ading<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/homeland-security-funding-cuts\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Home\u00adland Secu\u00adri\u00adty Fund\u00ading Cuts<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/second-lawsuit-against-doj-for-crime-survivors\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sec\u00adond Law\u00adsuit Against DOJ for Crime Sur\u00advivors<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/suspending-snap-benefits\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Sus\u00adpend\u00ading SNAP Ben\u00ade\u00adfits<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/public-service-loan-forgiveness-restrictions\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Pub\u00adlic Ser\u00advice Loan For\u00adgive\u00adness Restric\u00adtions<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/changes-in-hud-grants\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014Changes in HUD Grants<\/span><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\" wp-block-navigation-item wp-block-navigation-link has-small-font-size\"><a class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__content\" href=\"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/snap-immigration-eligibility-changes\/\"><span class=\"wp-block-navigation-item__label\">\u2014SNAP Immi\u00adgra\u00adtion Eli\u00adgi\u00adbil\u00adi\u00adty Changes<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Press Release: AG Tong Sues to Stop Dis\u00adman\u00adtling of Depart\u00adment of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion and to Pro\u00adtect Stu\u00addents Pre\u00adced\u00ading Event: On March 11, 2025, the Depart\u00adment of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion (ED) put out a&nbsp;press release&nbsp;regard\u00ading a cut in the Depart\u00admen\u00adt\u2019s work\u00adforce ini\u00adti\u00adat\u00ading a reduc\u00adtion in force \u201cas part of the Depart\u00adment of Edu\u00adca\u00adtion\u2019s final mis\u00adsion.\u201d Accord\u00ading to the law\u00adsuit, [\u2026]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wp_typography_post_enhancements_disabled":false,"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[177],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-lawsuits"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":1929,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-of-americorps\/","url_meta":{"origin":1848,"position":0},"title":"Dismantling of AmeriCorps","author":"Christi Thrower","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong to Sue Trump Administration to Stop Dismantling of AmeriCorps Preceding Event: On Feb. 11, 2025, President Donald Trump, working alongside the Department of Government Efficiency, signed\u00a0Executive Order 14210, intended to shrink the federal government through \"efficiency improvements\" and initiating \"large-scale reductions in force\". 85% of\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1942,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/dismantling-hhs\/","url_meta":{"origin":1848,"position":1},"title":"Dismantling HHS","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues to Stop Dismantling of Health and Human Services Department Preceding Event: As part of President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency initiatives, Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced a restructuring of the department. The\u00a0announcement\u00a0said the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1994,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/mental-health-funding-cuts-in-k-12\/","url_meta":{"origin":1848,"position":2},"title":"Mental Health Funding Cuts in K\u201112","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Department of Education to Stop Mental Health Funding Cuts Preceding Event: After a school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that killed 19 students and two teachers, Congress appropriated $1 billion to permanently bring roughly 14,000 mental health professionals into K-12 schools. According to the press\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":1925,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/07\/k-12-funding-conditions\/","url_meta":{"origin":1848,"position":3},"title":"K\u201112 Funding Conditions","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 7, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Sues Trump Administration Over Unlawful Conditions on Funding for Schools Preceding Event: On April 3, 2025, the Department of Education\u00a0notified states and localities\u00a0that in order to continue receiving federal funding, they must comply with new policies from President Donald Trump's administration. These policies are based\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":731,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/05\/two-education-secretaries-from-ct-show-divide-over-schools\/","url_meta":{"origin":1848,"position":4},"title":"Two education secretaries from CT&nbsp;show&nbsp;divide&nbsp;over schools","author":"Bridget Bronsdon","date":"January 5, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Two Connecticut residents, two secretaries of education, two very different paths.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Education&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Education","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/ED-Secretaries.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/ED-Secretaries.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/ED-Secretaries.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/ED-Secretaries.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/ED-Secretaries.jpg?resize=1050%2C600&ssl=1 3x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/files\/2025\/12\/ED-Secretaries.jpg?resize=1400%2C800&ssl=1 4x"},"classes":[]},{"id":2014,"url":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/2026\/01\/08\/federal-restrictions-on-benefits\/","url_meta":{"origin":1848,"position":5},"title":"Federal Restrictions on Benefits","author":"Charlotte Harvey","date":"January 8, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Press Release: Attorney General Tong Files Lawsuit to Block Federal Restrictions on Public Benefits Preceding Event: Three government agencies within the executive branch put out new guidance and restrictions - the Department of Health and Human Services\u00a0(HHS)\u00a0the Department of Justice\u00a0(DOJ)\u00a0and the Department of Education\u00a0(ED)\u00a0- on access to federal safety net\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;lawsuits&quot;","block_context":{"text":"lawsuits","link":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/category\/lawsuits\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pgTa6m-tO","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1848"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1957,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1848\/revisions\/1957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/digitaljournalism.uconn.edu\/balance-of-power\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}