Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision that has been described as a significant victory for the U.S. Department of Education, which is led by former America First Policy Institute (AFPI) member, Secretary Linda McMahon.
“Under President Trump, the Department of Education and Secretary McMahon will rightly return as much power as possible to where it belongs: states, local schools, and parents,” stated Erika Donalds, AFPI Chair for Education Opportunity. “We applaud this decision and look forward to further actions within the Department of Education to serve the American parent and child, rather than entrenched bureaucratic interests.”
Greg Sindelar, AFPI’s interim President & CEO, commented on Secretary McMahon’s efforts to align staffing levels at the Department of Education with actual needs. He said she aims to reorganize the department’s administration and better align its operations with its purpose. “She has been clear that the goal is to dismantle the department entirely while retaining its critical functions at the local level whenever possible,” Sindelar added. “Working with innovation and efficiency should be the expectation of federal agencies, not the exception. This is exactly the kind of leadership we need in Washington.”
Jessica Hart Steinmann, AFPI Executive General Counsel, remarked on how this decision impacts lower courts’ roles in overseeing internal personnel or policy decisions unless there is a clear legal violation. She noted that “the administration has been unfairly targeted with flawed litigation aimed at undermining the president’s ability to operate within his legitimate authority.” Steinmann expressed hope that this decision marks a turning point.