The U.S. Department of Education released detailed information outlining the timeline and mechanisms for wage garnishments on defaulted student loan borrowers as part of resumed collection efforts by the Trump administration. The policy, announced in a recent press release, includes garnishing up to 15% of disposable income and could extend to Social Security retirement checks, with notices to affected borrowers beginning later this summer.

The NAACP filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, alleging that the agency’s enforcement of policies – including a 'Dear Colleague' letter and subsequent certification demands – is an illegal effort to strip funding from schools that implement diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Critics argue that this move, aligned with the Trump administration's agenda, undermines equal education opportunities for marginalized communities.

The U.S. Department of Education, acting in line with Trump administration policy changes, revised its income-driven repayment programs by eliminating the automatic loan forgiveness feature in plans such as PAYE and ICR. This revision, announced amid ongoing debates over the federal student loan system, is expected to adversely affect millions of borrowers.

A complaint has been filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights by the Kennewick School Board over alleged Title IX violations regarding transgender athletes in women’s sports, in response to policies tied to President Trump's executive order.

The US Department of Education, under pressure from the Trump administration, issued a letter requiring state agencies to certify compliance with federal antidiscrimination laws and reject 'illegal DEI practices.' This politically charged directive, aimed at leveraging federal funding, has met with strong pushback from Democratic-led states and cities who view it as federal overreach.

On March 30, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced an investigation into Maine's decision to allow trans athletes to compete in girls sports, flagging potential Title IX violations. The move appears in the context of pressure from the Trump administration's directive, raising concerns about politically motivated enforcement actions that may undermine protections for marginalized communities.

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights initiated investigations on March 20, 2025, into Chicago Public Schools, the Illinois State Board of Education, and Deerfield Public Schools following complaints alleging sex discrimination under Title IX. This action aims to enforce federal guidelines for gender equity in educational facilities.

On March 20, 2025, an executive order from President Donald J. Trump directed the Secretary of Education to facilitate the closure of the U.S. Department of Education and to halt funding for programs advancing DEI and gender ideology. The order aims to return education authority to states and parents, effectively dismantling the centralized federal oversight that has been a vehicle for progressive educational initiatives.

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights launched investigations into 45 universities for alleged discriminatory practices based on race following its February 14 Dear Colleague Letter, reflecting a commitment to enforcing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

On March 12, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education executed mass layoffs affecting over half of its Office for Civil Rights, reducing regional offices from 12 to 5 and severely undermining its capacity to investigate discrimination and protect marginalized communities. The downsizing, which included significant cuts among union-represented staff, aligns with policies set by the Trump administration and marks a troubling retreat from robust civil rights enforcement.

On March 11, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education began laying off staff in its Office for Civil Rights, significantly impacting its ability to enforce federal civil rights laws. The reduction in force has led to concerns from civil rights advocates and a lawsuit by Attorneys General from 20 states and the District of Columbia, arguing that the move will hobble the department's mandated functions.

The U.S. Department of Education initiated a reduction in force affecting nearly 50% of its workforce, placing impacted employees on administrative leave and restructuring the organization, a move that raises serious concerns about the treatment of public servants and the erosion of worker rights.

The U.S. Department of Education announced on February 18, 2025, that it is slashing $600 million in grants for teacher training programs that emphasize topics like critical race theory, diversity, equity, and inclusion, labeling them as promoting 'divisive ideologies.'

On February 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education announced the termination of over $600 million in grants that funded teacher training programs focusing on topics such as Critical Race Theory, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, anti-racism, and social justice. This decision undermines educational initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and support for marginalized communities.

On January 23, 2025, following executive directives aligned with President Trump’s agenda, the U.S. Department of Education took sweeping measures to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. The actions included dissolving its Diversity & Inclusion Council, canceling over $2.6 million in DEI training and service contracts, placing DEI initiative leaders on paid administrative leave, and removing hundreds of DEI-related documents and web pages.

The U.S. Department of Education has dissolved its Diversity & Inclusion councils, archived hundreds of DEI-related documents, cancelled DEI training and service contracts, placed DEI staff on paid administrative leave, and removed over 200 DEI resource webpages. These actions, taken on January 23, 2025, align with directives from the Trump administration aimed at reorienting the agency away from policies that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.