(Image Credit: IMAGN) President Donald Trump holds up an executive order that renames a wildlife sanctuary in honor of the late Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12 year-old girl who was allegedly murdered by two undocumented migrants, during an address to a joint session of Congress at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 4, 2025.
(Image Credit: IMAGN)
LOS ANGELES – California is taking the Trump administration to court for the sixth time, challenging what it calls the unlawful termination of $148 million in federal grants meant to combat the state’s teacher shortage, Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Thursday.
The lawsuit, filed as Trump moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, argues that the administration unlawfully revoked funding that had already been approved by Congress. The cuts affect not only California but also seven other states, amounting to a total loss of $250 million in education grants nationwide.
“Disheartening and disappointing, yes, but not at all surprising,” Bonta said at a press conference. “These funds are critical for getting teachers into rural schools, urban schools, and hard-to-fill positions like math, science, and special education.”
The funding loss is expected to hit major California universities hard. UCLA will lose $8 million, impacting its program that trains middle school principals and teachers for Los Angeles Unified School District. More than 300 educators will be affected. Cal State LA will lose $7.5 million, gutting a program designed to prepare teachers for poverty-stricken areas, bilingual education, and special education. Nearly 280 teachers and educators tied to the program will be affected.
Bonta warned that the cuts will lead to layoffs, reductions in school staff hours, and a worsening teacher shortage crisis.
In response, California and the other impacted states are seeking a temporary restraining order to block the funding cuts and restore the grants.
“This may be the latest lawsuit,” Bonta said. “Unfortunately, I doubt it will be the last.”
Meanwhile, Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to abolish the Department of Education, a move that experts warn could deepen the crisis in public education and student loan management.
