Parents and Advocates Sue Education Department Over Civil Rights Office Cuts
The lawsuit alleges that Trump administration policies have crippled the Office for Civil Rights, leaving discrimination complaints unaddressed.
- A class-action lawsuit filed by two parents and the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates accuses the Education Department of obstructing its Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
- The suit claims mass layoffs, including the closure of seven regional OCR offices, have left the department unable to investigate civil rights complaints effectively.
- The plaintiffs argue that the department's actions violate the Fifth Amendment and seek an injunction to restore OCR's capacity to process complaints equitably.
- The lawsuit highlights a shift in OCR's priorities under the Trump administration, including investigations into alleged discrimination against white and cisgender students while neglecting other cases.
- A separate lawsuit by 21 Democratic attorneys general challenges the administration's authority to implement the layoffs and reduce the department's functions.