States Sue Trump Over $6.8 Billion in Withheld School Funding

A growing coalition of U.S. states is taking the White House to court over a move that could hit classrooms hard across the country.

On July 14, 24 states and the District of Columbia filed a federal lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to freeze up to $6.8 billion in school funding that had already been green-lighted by Congress. The money was set for after-school activities, English-language instruction, teacher training, support for migrant students, among others.

The move came just days before the July 1 deadline for distributing the funding. School districts across the country are now facing canceled programs, postponed teacher hires, and scaled-back summer classes.

“This is not about Democrat or Republican – these funds were appropriated by Congress for the education of Kentucky’s children, and it’s my job to ensure we get them,” Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a statement. “In Kentucky, $96 million in federal education funds are at risk. Our kids and our future depend on a strong education, and these funds are essential to making sure our kids succeed.”

The White House says the freeze was intended for a “programmatic review” to align the budget with President Trump’s goals. But state heads say there’s no legal ground for the delay and remind of the Impoundment Control Act outlining that the executive branch cannot withhold funds approved by Congress without its decision.

The lawsuit, filed in Rhode Island, mentions President Trump, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought. Governors and attorneys general from the states of New York, Michigan, Kentucky, and Arkansas are behind the legal action.

Supporters of the action stress that the timing for the White House’s decision could not be worse as schools prepare for the upcoming academic year.

With input from Al Jazeera