Trump sued by 20 states to halt the 'dismantling' of Education Department

A group of Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration Thursday over its moves to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and its termination of nearly half the agency's staff.

Attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia filed the legal challenge in response to the administration's dismissal of more than 1,300 workers at the department.

"The lay-offs are an effective dismantling of the Department," the state AGs wrote.

"[The] Department's authority to administer [Reductions in Force] does not override Congress's exclusive authority to abolish executive agencies or to discontinue their functions," they added.

As an agency authorized by Congress, the Education Department cannot be eliminated without congressional approval. But in the meantime, the Trump administration can slowly starve it by cutting resources.

The defendants named in the lawsuit are President Donald Trump, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon and the U.S. Department of Education.

"President Trump was elected with a mandate from the American public to return education authority to the states," said Madi Biedermann, deputy assistant secretary for Communications at the U.S. Department of Education.

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On Tuesday, McMahon said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" that efforts to dismantle the agency are "proceeding as expeditiously as possible."

The Education Department manages the country's more than $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio, provides funding for schools and ensures civil rights.