Attorneys general from California, Rhode Island and Wisconsin sued the U.S. Department of Education on June 9, claiming the agency unlawfully cut off grants that fund professional development for special education staff and support services for students with disabilities. The lawsuit says the cancellations, which happened in September and December 2025, stemmed from the Trump administration’s hostility toward any mention of diversity, equity or inclusion in the grant programs.
What the lawsuit alleges about the grant cancellations
The three states received federal State Personnel Development Grants that were initially approved with language highlighting equity initiatives. According to the lawsuit, the Education Department later penalized them for that same language.
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The state’s request to reconsider was denied.
The Education Department has canceled several other K-12 grant programs over the past year that it said didn’t align with Trump administration priorities and executive orders. That includes programs funding mental health supports in schools and professional development for teachers of English learners.
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The Education Department’s defense and counter-arguments
Amelia Joy, a spokesperson for the Education Department, said in a Friday email that the Trump administration has made “historic investments to support students with disabilities” and will continue to help states expand proven learning methods. Last month, the department announced an additional $144 million this year for services to infants, toddlers, children and young adults with disabilities. Joy added that it is “dedicated to ensuring every child with a disability receives the special education and related services they are legally entitled” and that children must receive those services delivered by qualified personnel.
But the plaintiff states say the grant discontinuations are causing “substantial injury, including irreparable harm,” according to the lawsuit. The states say they haven’t been able to find replacement funding. In California, the loss has already led to reduced resources for family engagement initiatives, hit under-resourced districts hardest, and resulted in staff layoffs.
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Outside perspective from special education leaders
That perspective offers a neutral counterweight to the administration’s claim that it remains committed to students with disabilities. The states are asking the court to reverse the non-discontinuation decisions and argue that the Education Department violated the Administrative Procedure Act, which requires major federal policy changes to go through a formal notice-and-comment period. The three states aren’t just asking for money back. They want a legal ruling that the department can’t simply cancel multi-year grants on ideological grounds without following proper procedure. If the states win, it could affect how future administrations handle similar grant cuts across other education programs.
