Case: Somerville Public Schools v. Trump

1:25-cv-10677 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: March 24, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

Several lawsuits have been brought challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This case is one; the others can be found here. On March 24, 2025, several school districts and labor organizations filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, suing President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Education, and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The plaintiffs challenged the Trump administration's efforts to dis…

Several lawsuits have been brought challenging the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This case is one; the others can be found here.

On March 24, 2025, several school districts and labor organizations filed this lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts, suing President Donald Trump, the U.S. Department of Education, and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. The plaintiffs challenged the Trump administration's efforts to dismantle and eliminate the Department of Education, including a sweeping reduction in force and President Trump’s March 20, 2025 Executive Order, Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities. The complaint alleged that Defendants' actions violated the Separation of Powers, the Take Care Clause, and the Administrative Procedure Act ("APA"). This case was assigned to Judge Myong J. Joun.

The plaintiffs included two Massachusetts school districts—Somerville and Easthampton—as well as national and regional labor organizations representing educators and school staff: the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts, AFSCME Council 93, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Represented by Democracy Forward, the plaintiffs argued that the Executive Order and mass terminations were a deliberate and unlawful attempt to eliminate a Cabinet-level agency that Congress created by statute in 1979. The plaintiffs maintained that only Congress has the authority to create or eliminate executive agencies, and that the President’s attempt to do so by Executive Order exceeded constitutional limits and violated the APA.

In their complaint, the plaintiffs made three claims: First, the plaintiffs asserted a Separation of Powers violation, arguing that the President cannot unilaterally abolish a federal agency that Congress established by law and continues to fund annually. Second, the plaintiffs invoked the Take Care Clause (U.S. Const. art. II, § 3), which requires the President to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed." They argued that the Executive’s plan to shutter the Department—despite clear statutory mandates to the contrary—was not an execution of the law but an attempt to circumvent or nullify it. Third, the plaintiffs challenged both the March 11, 2025, mass reduction in force (RIF) and the Executive Order as “final agency actions” that were arbitrary, capricious, and contrary to law under the APA.

In support of these claims, the complaint presented detailed factual evidence, including public statements from President Trump and Secretary McMahon confirming their intention to dismantle the Department. To demonstrate harm, the plaintiffs also provided district-level examples of how reductions in federal aid would stifle educational programming.

The plaintiffs sought multiple forms of relief: a preliminary and permanent injunction blocking the reduction in force and implementation of the Executive Order; a declaratory judgment finding the President’s actions unlawful and unconstitutional; and attorneys’ fees and costs.

On April 1, 2025, plaintiffs filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to block enforcement of President Trump’s March 20 Executive Order and the mass layoffs at the Department of Education. After briefing, a hearing was held on April 25. The court ruled in plaintiffs' favor on May 22, entering a preliminary injunction for the pendency of the litigation. 2025 WL 1463009. It enjoined the reduction in force, and the transfer of management of federal student loans and special education functions out of the Department. The court's order required the administration to reinstate federal employees whose employment was terminated as part of the reduction in force, and to "restore the Department to the status quo such that it is able to carry out its statutory functions."

On the same day, the court issued an order consolidating this case with State of New York v. McMahon, a similar challenge to the Department of Education’s reduction in force brought by 21 states. The court designated State of New York as the lead case, and the cases have proceeded together since. Defendants immediately appealed the consolidated cases to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on May 22, 2025. The defendants requested an immediate administrative stay and a stay pending appeal.

In the district court, the defendants also filed a motion to stay the preliminary injunction on May 22. On May 23, Judge Joun denied the motion. He found that, given the court's analysis in the order granting the preliminary injunction, the defendants would not suffer irreparable harm by maintaining the status quo, while staying the preliminary injunction would cause serious harm to the plaintiffs. 2025 WL 1478007.

On May 27, the Court of Appeals also denied the defendants' motion for an immediate administrative stay, 2025 WL 1503501, and on June 4, denied a stay pending appeal. 139 F.4th 63.

Looking first at whether the defendants had made a strong showing that they would prevail on the merits, the court found "no basis on which to conclude that the appellants have made a 'strong showing' that the District Court likely clearly erred in finding that the RIF made it effectively impossible for the Department to carry out its statutory obligations." The court also rejected the defendants' argument that the district court lacked jurisdiction because of the CSRA, since the court was "loath to attribute to Congress" the defendants' view that Congress "intended to bar every challenge to an unlawful effort by the Executive to shut down a statutorily created agency by summarily firing its employees en masse" through enactment of the CSRA. Therefore, the Court of Appeals found that the defendants had not made a strong showing that they would succeed on their argument that the plaintiffs lacked standing.

Looking at the merits, the court also held that the defendants had failed to make a "strong showing" of success, since their contentions "merely favorably characterize[d] the actions found to have been contrary to law and arbitrary and capricious" rather than explaining why the district court's ruling was erroneous. Finally, the court found that the RIF in this case sufficiently constituted a final agency action to support an action under the APA.

Turning to other concerns, the court also said that the defendants had failed to show that they would suffer an irreparable injury "by being required to carry out Congress's duly enacted statutes," or that the "public's interest lies in permitting a major federal department to be unlawfully disabled from performing its statutorily assigned functions." Therefore, the court denied the motion for a stay of the district court's injunction. 139 F.4th 63.

On June 6, the Government asked the Supreme Court to stay the district court's injunction for the duration of the litigation while the government appeals to the First Circuit and possibly the Supreme Court. In its application, the government argued that it was likely to succeed on the merits because the plaintiffs lacked standing, asserting that the district court "accepted a standing theory rife with speculation" about whether the Department would be able to fulfill its duties. The government also argued that the district court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the dispute, since, while the district court admitted more limited reductions in force would have to be brought before the Merit Systems Protection Board, it found that more massive terminations granted it jurisdiction. Finally, the government argued that the district court lacked authority to order reinstatement as a remedy, and this case warranted the Court’s intervention because of the irreparable harm the Executive Branch would suffer if it were required to reinstate the employees.

The Supreme Court granted the government's request on July 14, staying the district court's preliminary injunction pending the resolution of the government's appeal in the First Circuit and any possible appeal to the Supreme Court. The Court did not explain its reasoning, but the decision came over the noted dissents of Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson, who argued that "[w]hen 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." 145 S.Ct. 2643.

On August 8, 2025, the consolidated plaintiffs filed an unopposed motion in the district court, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 62.1, requesting that the district court issue an indicative ruling that it would vacate the preliminary injunction if the First Circuit were to remand the case. The motion was granted, and the First Circuit dismissed the consolidated appeal on September 15, 2025, remanding the matter back to the district court.

On September 25, 2025, the defendants moved to vacate the May 22, 2025 preliminary injunctions entered by this Court in both of the consolidated cases in light of the Supreme Court’s grant of a stay pending appeal, the Plaintiffs’ request for an indicative ruling from the district court that “[t]he Court would grant the Consolidated Plaintiffs’ motion to vacate the preliminary injunction if the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit were to remand,” and the First Circuit’s subsequent dismissal of appeal and remand.

The court granted the motion to vacate the preliminary injunction and the motion to stay the case in light of the federal government shutdown on October 1, 2025.

The case is ongoing.

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Summary Authors

Karma Karira (5/7/2025)

Clearinghouse (5/22/2025)

Emma Vayda (6/5/2025)

Madena Mustafa (11/3/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69778837/parties/somerville-public-schools-v-trump-font-colorred-bdo-not-docket-in/

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bardwell, Will (Massachusetts)

Bull, Gina (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Defendant

Bruns, Michael Benjamin (Massachusetts)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Abelson, Dana A. (- United States (national) -)

Berman, Steve W. (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Plaintiff

Bardwell, Will (Massachusetts)

Bull, Gina (- United States (national) -)

Carpenter, Caityn Babington (- United States (national) -)

Chin, Elleanor H. (- United States (national) -)

Choi, Lucia (- United States (national) -)

Coates, Spencer Wade (- United States (national) -)

Crawford, Haleigh (- United States (national) -)

Day, David Dana (- United States (national) -)

Dirks, Katherine B. (- United States (national) -)

Ehler, Karyn L. (- United States (national) -)

Fernandes, Kalikoonalani Diara (- United States (national) -)

Finberg, Jessica M.

Flynn, Elizabeth C. (- United States (national) -)

Garrett, Clinten N. (- United States (national) -)

Gibson, Charlotte (- United States (national) -)

Giovanatti, Neil (- United States (national) -)

Goldstein, Elena (Massachusetts)

Gradowski, Kathryn (- United States (national) -)

Grieco, Matthew William (- United States (national) -)

Halloran, Kathleen Ann (- United States (national) -)

Homer, Rachel F. (Massachusetts)

Hunger, Sarah A. (- United States (national) -)

Hyman, Nathaniel J. (- United States (national) -)

Jamieson, Keith (- United States (national) -)

Kassab, Vanessa L. (- United States (national) -)

Koch, Robert A. (- United States (national) -)

Kramer, Elizabeth C. (- United States (national) -)

Liston, Ian R. (- United States (national) -)

Lumelsky, Anna Esther (- United States (national) -)

Magenis, Sean D. (- United States (national) -)

Mendrala, Andrew C. (- United States (national) -)

Morejon, Amanda I. (- United States (national) -)

Moskowitz, David (- United States (national) -)

Muqaddam, Rabia (- United States (national) -)

Murdukhayeva, Ester (- United States (national) -)

Newman, Michael Louis (- United States (national) -)

Nugent, Victoria S. (Massachusetts)

Palmer, Jessica L. (- United States (national) -)

Perwez, Adnan (Massachusetts)

Rayner, Ewan Christopher (- United States (national) -)

Reyes, Natasha Adriana (- United States (national) -)

Richie, Joseph Robert (- United States (national) -)

Ring, Patrick (- United States (national) -)

Roberts, Katharine M. (- United States (national) -)

Rose, Jonathan T. (- United States (national) -)

Salmon, Leigh (- United States (national) -)

Samburg, Mark (Massachusetts)

Schellenberg, Kali J. (Massachusetts)

Sepe, Cristina (- United States (national) -)

Shavit, Yael (- United States (national) -)

Simon, Andrew (- United States (national) -)

Skold, Michael Kenneth (- United States (national) -)

Srividya, Panchalam Seshan (- United States (national) -)

Stanley, James Edward (- United States (national) -)

Thomas-Jensen, Molly (- United States (national) -)

Wolfson, Paul R.Q. (- United States (national) -)

Attorney for Defendant

Bruns, Michael Benjamin (Massachusetts)

Farquhar, Rayford A. (Massachusetts)

Freeman, Mark R. (- United States (national) -)

George, Abraham R. (- United States (national) -)

Lockhart, Donald Campbell (- United States (national) -)

McArthur, Eric Dean (- United States (national) -)

Myers, Steven A. (- United States (national) -)

Patterson, Melissa N. (- United States (national) -)

Rosenberg, Brad P. (Massachusetts)

Expert/Monitor/Master/Other

Abelson, Dana A. (- United States (national) -)

Berman, Steve W. (- United States (national) -)

Engelen, Breanna Van (- United States (national) -)

Grant, John (- United States (national) -)

Melanson, Raffi (- United States (national) -)

Pershing, Abigail (- United States (national) -)

Stern, Heidi Parry (- United States (national) -)

STRAWBRIDGE, PATRICK N. (- United States (national) -)

Verdoia, Stephanie (- United States (national) -)

Attorney Contact Information via CourtListener

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

	Document
1 1:25-cv-10677	Complaint	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025 Complaint
45 1:25-cv-10677	Memorandum and Order on Consolidated Plaintiffs' Motions for Preliminary Injunction State of New York v. McMahon	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025 Order/Opinion 2025 WL 1463009
108295196 25-1495	Opinion Somerville Public Schools v. McMahon U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit	June 4, 2025	June 4, 2025 Order/Opinion 139 F.4th 63
25-01203	On Application for Stay McMahon v. New York Supreme Court of the United States	July 14, 2025	July 14, 2025 Order/Opinion

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Resources

Title	Description		External URL Date / External URL
EO 14242 - Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities President Donald Trump	Directing the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local Communities.	March 20, 2025	March 20, 2025 https://www.federalregister.gov/...
Press Release - U.S. Department of Education Initiates Reduction in Force U.S. Department of Education	Announcing that the U.S. Department of Education initiated a reduction in force (RIF) impacting nearly 50% of the Department’s workforce, with Impacted Department staff to be placed on administrative…	March 11, 2025	March 11, 2025 https://www.ed.gov/...

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Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69778837/somerville-public-schools-v-trump-font-colorred-bdo-not-docket-in/

Last updated Nov. 10, 2025, 11 p.m.

ECF Number	Description	Date	Link Date / Link
1	COMPLAINT against Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Education Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-10908277 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Category Form Category Form, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025) 1 Category Form Category Form View on PACER 2 Civil Cover Sheet Civil Cover Sheet View on PACER	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025 Clearinghouse
10	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Kali Schellenberg Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10908675 by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Kali Schellenberg)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
11	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 5 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Will Bardwell. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
12	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 6 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Elena Goldstein. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
13	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Rachel F. Homer. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
14	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 9 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Adnan Perwez. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
15	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Kali Schellenberg. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. To register for a PACER account, go the Pacer website at https://pacer.uscourts.gov/register-account. You must put the docket number under ADDITIONAL FILER INFORMATION on your form when registering or it will be rejected.Pro Hac Vice Admission Request Instructions https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-pro-hac-vice.htm.A Notice of Appearance must be entered on the docket by the newly admitted attorney. (SP) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
2	ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge Myong J. Joun assigned to case. If the trial Judge issues an Order of Reference of any matter in this case to a Magistrate Judge, the matter will be transmitted to Magistrate Judge M. Page Kelley. (CEH) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
3	Summons Issued as to Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Education. Counsel receiving this notice electronically should download this summons, complete one for each defendant and serve it in accordance with Fed.R.Civ.P. 4 and LR 4.1. Summons will be mailed to plaintiff(s) not receiving notice electronically for completion of service. (NMC) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025 RECAP
4	NOTICE of Appearance by Mark Samburg on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
5	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Will Bardwell Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10908619 by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Will Bardwell)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
6	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Elena Goldstein Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10908628 by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Elena Goldstein)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
7	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Rachel F. Homer Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10908634 by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Rachel F. Homer)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
8	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Victoria S. Nugent Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10908640 by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Victoria S. Nugent)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
9	MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Adnan Perwez Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10908658 by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Affidavit Declaration of Adnan Perwez)(Samburg, Mark) (Entered: 03/24/2025)	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
	Notice of Case Assignment	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	March 24, 2025	March 24, 2025
16	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered GRANTING 8 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Victoria S. Nugent. Attorneys admitted Pro Hac Vice must have an individual upgraded PACER account, not a shared firm account, to electronically file in the District of Massachusetts. Counsel may need to link their CM/ECF account to their upgraded individual pacer account. Instructions on how to link CM/ECF accounts to upgraded pacer account can be found at https://www.mad.uscourts.gov/caseinfo/nextgen-current-pacer-accounts.htm#link-account. (SP) (Entered: 03/25/2025)	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to Appear	March 25, 2025	March 25, 2025
17	NOTICE of Appearance by Rachel F. Homer on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 03/26/2025)	March 26, 2025	March 26, 2025
18	NOTICE of Appearance by Will Bardwell on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Bardwell, Will) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025
19	NOTICE of Appearance by Elena Goldstein on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Goldstein, Elena) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025
20	NOTICE of Appearance by Adnan Perwez on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Perwez, Adnan) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025
21	NOTICE of Appearance by Kali J. Schellenberg on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Schellenberg, Kali) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025
22	NOTICE of Appearance by Victoria S. Nugent on behalf of Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union (Nugent, Victoria) (Entered: 03/27/2025)	March 27, 2025	March 27, 2025
23	MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union.(Bardwell, Will) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025 RECAP
24	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 23 Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (JL) (Entered: 03/28/2025)	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	March 28, 2025	March 28, 2025
25	MOTION for Preliminary Injunction by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/01/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 RECAP
26	MEMORANDUM in Support re 25 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/01/2025)	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 RECAP
27	DECLARATION re 26 Memorandum in Support of Motion, by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Exhibit 13, # 14 Exhibit 14, # 15 Exhibit 15, # 16 Exhibit 16)(Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/01/2025) 1 Exhibit 1 View on PACER 2 Exhibit 2 View on PACER 3 Exhibit 3 View on PACER 4 Exhibit 4 View on PACER 5 Exhibit 5 View on PACER 6 Exhibit 6 View on PACER 7 Exhibit 7 View on RECAP 8 Exhibit 8 View on RECAP 9 Exhibit 9 View on PACER 10 Exhibit 10 View on PACER 11 Exhibit 11 View on PACER 12 Exhibit 12 View on PACER 13 Exhibit 13 View on PACER 14 Exhibit 14 View on PACER 15 Exhibit 15 View on PACER 16 Exhibit 16 View on PACER	April 1, 2025	April 1, 2025 RECAP
28	NOTICE of Appearance by Brad P. Rosenberg on behalf of U.S. Department of Education, Donald J. Trump, Linda McMahon (Rosenberg, Brad) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025
29	SUMMONS Returned Executed U.S. Department of Education served on 3/31/2025, answer due 4/21/2025. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025
30	SUMMONS Returned Executed Linda McMahon served on 3/31/2025, answer due 4/21/2025. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025
31	SUMMONS Returned Executed Donald J. Trump served on 3/31/2025, answer due 4/21/2025. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025
32	SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, Easthampton Public Schools, Somerville Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025
33	SUMMONS Returned Executed by American Association of University Professors, American Federation of Teachers, Service Employees International Union, Easthampton Public Schools, Somerville Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/02/2025)	April 2, 2025	April 2, 2025
34	Assented-to MOTION for Revised Briefing Schedule and Request for Leave to File Additional Pages by U.S. Department of Education, Donald J. Trump, Linda McMahon. (Attachments: # 1 Text of Proposed Order)(Rosenberg, Brad) (Entered: 04/04/2025) 1 Text of Proposed Order View on PACER	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025 RECAP
35	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 34 Assented-to MOTION for Revised Briefing Schedule and Request for Leave to File Additional Pages: Consolidated opposition to 25 Motion for Preliminary Injunction due 4/11/2025 and reply due by 4/18/2025. (JL) (Entered: 04/04/2025)	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025
	Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File Response/Reply	April 4, 2025	April 4, 2025
36	NOTICE of Appearance by Rayford A. Farquhar on behalf of U.S. Department of Education, Donald J. Trump, Linda McMahon (Farquhar, Rayford) (Entered: 04/07/2025)	April 7, 2025	April 7, 2025
37	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Benjamin Bruns on behalf of U.S. Department of Education, Donald J. Trump, Linda McMahon (Bruns, Michael) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025
38	Opposition re 25 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by U.S. Department of Education, Donald J. Trump, Linda McMahon. (Bruns, Michael) (Entered: 04/11/2025)	April 11, 2025	April 11, 2025 RECAP
39	Assented to MOTION for Leave to File Excess Pages for Reply Brief by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union.(Bardwell, Will) (Entered: 04/15/2025)	April 15, 2025	April 15, 2025
40	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 39 Plaintiff's Assented-to Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages. (JL) (Entered: 04/15/2025)	April 15, 2025	April 15, 2025
	Order on Motion for Leave to File Excess Pages	April 15, 2025	April 15, 2025
41	REPLY to Response to 25 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction filed by Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Council 93, American Association of University Professors, Service Employees International Union. (Homer, Rachel) (Entered: 04/18/2025)	April 18, 2025	April 18, 2025 RECAP
42	NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Benjamin Bruns on behalf of U.S. Department of Education, Donald J. Trump, Linda McMahon (Bruns, Michael) (Entered: 04/24/2025)	April 24, 2025	April 24, 2025
43	Electronic Clerk's Notes for proceedings held before Judge Myong J. Joun: Motion Hearing Held on 4/25/2025 re (#69) Motion for Preliminary Injunction in case 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ and (#25) Motion for Preliminary Injunction in case 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ. Both motions argued; motions taken under advisement. (Court Reporter: Jamie Halpin at jkhhalpin@gmail.com)(Attorneys present: Shavit, Hamilton, Bruns, Homer, Goldstein, Nugent, Hyman, and Muqaddam) Associated Cases: 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ, 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ(JL) (Entered: 04/25/2025)	April 25, 2025	April 25, 2025
	Motion Hearing AND Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction AND Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction	April 25, 2025	April 25, 2025
44	Notice of Supplemental Authorities re 25 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction (Homer, Rachel) (Main Document 44 replaced on 5/16/2025) (SP). (Additional attachment(s) added on 5/16/2025: # 1 Exhibit A) (SP). (Entered: 05/15/2025)	May 15, 2025	May 15, 2025 RECAP
45	Judge Myong J. Joun: ORDER entered GRANTING 25 Motion for Preliminary Injunction. See attached Order. (SP)	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025 Clearinghouse
46	Judge Myong J. Joun: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered. ORDER consolidating cases. 25-cv-10601 is now the Lead Case. All entries to be made in Lead Case. (SP) (Entered: 05/22/2025)	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025
47	NOTICE OF APPEAL as to 45 Order on Motion for Preliminary Injunction by Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, U.S. Department of Education. Fee Status: US Government. NOTICE TO COUNSEL: A Transcript Report/Order Form, which can be downloaded from the First Circuit Court of Appeals web site at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov MUST be completed and submitted to the Court of Appeals. Counsel shall register for a First Circuit CM/ECF Appellate Filer Account at http://pacer.psc.uscourts.gov/cmecf. Counsel shall also review the First Circuit requirements for electronic filing by visiting the CM/ECF Information section at http://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/cmecf. US District Court Clerk to deliver official record to Court of Appeals by 6/11/2025. (Rosenberg, Brad) (Entered: 05/22/2025)	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025 RECAP
	Order consolidating cases	May 22, 2025	May 22, 2025
48	Certified and Transmitted Abbreviated Electronic Record on Appeal to US Court of Appeals re 47 Notice of Appeal. (MAP) (Entered: 05/23/2025)	May 23, 2025	May 23, 2025
49	USCA Case Number 25-1500 for 47 Notice of Appeal, filed by U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump. (MAP) (Entered: 05/23/2025)	May 23, 2025	May 23, 2025
	USCA Case Number	May 23, 2025	May 23, 2025
50	OPINION of USCA as to (47 in 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, (130 in 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States. (MAP) (Entered: 06/04/2025)	June 4, 2025	June 4, 2025 RECAP
51	ORDER of USCA as to (47 in 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ) Notice of Appeal,,, filed by U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, (130 in 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ) Notice of Appeal,,, filed by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States.Appellant's motion for a stay is denied. (MAP) (Entered: 06/04/2025)	June 4, 2025	June 4, 2025 RECAP
52	Judge Myong J. Joun: ORDER entered GRANTING (163) MOTION for Order to Enter Indicative Ruling and Schedule Rule 16 Conference Associated Cases: 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ, 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ(SP) (Entered: 08/11/2025)	Aug. 11, 2025	Aug. 11, 2025 RECAP
53	USCA Judgment as to (47 in 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, (130 in 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States. APPEAL DISMISSED (MAP) (Entered: 09/16/2025)	Sept. 15, 2025	Sept. 15, 2025 RECAP
54	ORDER of USCA as to (47 in 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, (130 in 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States (MAP) (Entered: 09/17/2025)	Sept. 17, 2025	Sept. 17, 2025 RECAP
55	MANDATE of USCA as to (47 in 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by U.S. Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, (130 in 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ) Notice of Appeal, filed by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Donald J. Trump, President of the United States. Appeal (130 in 1:25-cv-10601-MJJ), (47 in 1:25-cv-10677-MJJ) Terminated (MAP) (Entered: 09/17/2025)	Sept. 17, 2025	Sept. 17, 2025 RECAP
	Order on Motion to Vacate	Oct. 1, 2025	Oct. 1, 2025

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Case Details

State / Territory:

Massachusetts

Case Type(s):

Education

Presidential/Gubernatorial Authority

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: March 24, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Somerville Public Schools, Easthampton Public Schools, American Federation of Teachers (AFT), AFT Massachusetts, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Council 93, American Association of University Professors (AAUP), and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). Public school districts and national and state-level labor unions representing educators, education workers, and academic professionals.

Plaintiff Type(s):

City/County Plaintiff

Non-profit NON-religious organization

Attorney Organizations:

Democracy Forward

Public Interest Lawyer: Yes

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States of America (- United States (national) -), Federal

Department of Education (- United States (national) -), Federal