The Supreme Court cleared the way for the Education Department to fire hundreds of employees on Monday, a move that advances President Donald Trump's plans to dismantle the department.
The high court's decision in McMahon v. State of New York was issued 6-3 along ideological lines.
The decision temporarily pauses an order by a lower court judge that had reinstated roughly 1,400 employees at the Education Department.
DEM AGS SUE OVER TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LAYOFFS
In March, Education Secretary Linda McMahon laid off half of the department's workforce as part of the Trump administration's broader reduction in force efforts. Later that month, Trump announced in an executive order that he planned to shutter the department altogether.
The Supreme Court's order arose from two lawsuits, including one brought by 20 Democratic-led states that challenged the Education Department's layoffs and planned closure.
The plaintiffs argued to the high court that the Trump administration's "record abundantly reveals" that its "true intention is to effectively dismantle the Department without an authorizing statute."
The Trump administration responded that the layoffs did not prove the department was being shuttered and that the department plans to carry out its legally required functions. Congress would need to approve a full shutdown of the department's functions.
SPARKS FLY BETWEEN EDUCATION SECRETARY LINDA MCMAHON AND DEM REP. WATSON COLEMAN: 'YOU SHOULD FEEL SHAMEFUL'
Justice Sonia Sotomayor, one of the three dissenting justices, said the majority's emergency decision was "indefensible."
"When the Executive publicly announces its intent to break the law, and then executes on that promise, it is the Judiciary's duty to check that lawlessness, not expedite it," Sotomayor wrote.
McMahon said in a statement at the time of Trump's executive order that the Education Department's legally required obligations would still be met.
"Closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them - we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs," McMahon said in March. "We're going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition."
The education secretary celebrated the Supreme Court's temporary ruling on Monday, saying her department would "now deliver on its mandate to restore excellence in American education."
"As we return education to the states, this administration will continue to perform all statutory duties while empowering families and teachers by reducing education bureaucracy," McMahon said.
