The U.S. Department of Education has released education funding to California that had previously been withheld, following a lawsuit led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and a coalition of states. The lawsuit challenged the Trump Administration’s decision earlier in July to freeze these funds just weeks before the new school year.
“The Trump Administration has officially reversed course on its blatantly illegal, misguided effort to freeze critical education funds weeks before the school year was set to start,” said Attorney General Bonta. “Let’s be clear: This funding should never have been frozen in the first place – that’s why we filed our lawsuit. We’re glad to see the Administration back down from its illegal effort to withhold these funds, but we can’t lose sight of the long-term damage caused by the President’s campaign of chaos and uncertainty. California will not stop fighting to hold the President and his Administration accountable to the law and to protect our children’s educational future.”
On June 30, federal officials froze funding for six programs administered by the Department of Education. These programs support services such as education for migrant children and English learners, efforts to improve classroom instruction and technology use, community learning centers providing academic enrichment, and adult education and workforce development.
Attorney General Bonta co-led a group of 23 attorneys general and two states in filing legal action on July 14. The lawsuit argued that freezing these funds violated federal statutes governing both program funding and budget processes, as well as constitutional principles.
By July 25, California officials received notice that federal authorities would begin releasing the impounded funds during the week of July 28. Grant Award Notifications confirmed that all required funds were being made available for use by states.
Attorney General Bonta has previously taken legal action over issues such as termination of grant funding for teacher preparation programs, restructuring within the Education Department, changes in K-12 education funding requirements, and discontinuation of mental health grants for schools. His office has also secured other financial relief for California schools—including $200 million in earlier awarded education funding—to address ongoing impacts from COVID-19.
