Case: State of New York v. Department of Education

1:25-cv-11116 | U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts

Filed Date: April 25, 2025

Closed Date: Feb. 18, 2026

Clearinghouse coding complete

Case Summary

This case challenges the legality of the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) "April 3 Agency Action," which conditioned the receipt of federal education funding on compliance with new, restrictive interpretations of Title VI regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. In particular, the lawsuit targets the Department's implementation of Executive Order Nos. 14173, 14151, and 14190, issued by President Trump in early 2025. The plaintiffs argued that the April 3 mandate—which requir…

This case challenges the legality of the U.S. Department of Education's (ED) "April 3 Agency Action," which conditioned the receipt of federal education funding on compliance with new, restrictive interpretations of Title VI regarding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts. In particular, the lawsuit targets the Department's implementation of Executive Order Nos. 14173, 14151, and 14190, issued by President Trump in early 2025. The plaintiffs argued that the April 3 mandate—which required State and Local Education Agencies to certify they would not engage in undefined "illegal DEI practices"—imperiled over $13.8 billion in federal funding, including Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) grants.

On April 25, 2025, the State of New York, along with Illinois, Massachusetts, California, and 15 other states, filed this civil action in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts against the U.S. Department of Education, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, and Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Craig Trainor. In letters sent to State Commissioners on April 3, 2025, the Secretary set conditions on federal education funding, and demanded the states' compliance with the Trump administration's new interpretation of Title VI, which prohibited DEI programs. The plaintiffs asserted that the Department's directive sought to eliminate DEI programs by expanding the Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College (SFFA) beyond its scope. The complaint alleged nine counts, including violations of the APA for arbitrary and capricious action and acting in excess of statutory authority, as well as violations of the Separation of Powers, the Appropriations Clause, and the Spending Clause.

The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge William G. Young. On June 30, 2025, the Defendants filed their Answer to the Complaint. In their response, the Department of Education admitted to issuing the April 3 certification requirements and the underlying Executive Orders but denied that these actions were unlawful. The Defendants asserted that the certification was consistent with Title VI and the SFFA decision, arguing that the "factual record... consists of the administrative record and not the allegations in the Complaint." The defense further argued that the Plaintiffs failed to challenge a final agency action, a threshold requirement for judicial review under the APA.

On November 24, 2025, the parties submitted a joint statement to the court reporting they did not believe that a "trial with live witnesses [was] necessary and that this case [could] be decided on the basis of trial briefs." Judge Young agreed, and set a trial for June 4, 2026, where the parties would present oral arguments based on their briefs and the administrative record.

In a related case challenging the same agency action, American Federation of Teachers v. U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland vacated the April 3 Agency Action on August 14, 2025. The defendants in the case appealed, but the Fourth Circuit dismissed the appeal on January 21, 2026. Consequently, the parties in this case filed a joint motion seeking to dismiss the case, as the issue was now moot. The parties stipulated that since the vacated agency action creates no obligation on the Plaintiff States, the complaint should be dismissed without prejudice with each party bearing their own fees and costs. On February 18, 2026, Judge Young granted the motion, dismissing the case without prejudice.

Summary Authors

Jack Moore (2/4/2026)

Maddy Ligon (2/18/2026)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69944116/parties/state-of-new-york-v-department-of-education/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Bachhuber, Rachel (Massachusetts)

Beatty-Walters, Christina (Massachusetts)

Coates, Spencer Wade (Massachusetts)

Cunningham, Darren P (Massachusetts)

Day, David Dana (Massachusetts)

Attorney for Defendant

show all people

Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

1:25-cv-11116

Complaint

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Complaint
94

1:25-cv-11116

Joint Motion to Dismiss the Complaint Without Prejudice Subject to the Terms of the Parties' Stipulation

Feb. 6, 2026

Feb. 6, 2026

Pleading / Motion / Brief

Resources

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69944116/state-of-new-york-v-department-of-education/

Last updated Feb. 23, 2026, 12:46 a.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against All Defendants Filing fee: $ 405, receipt number AMADC-10972983 (Fee Status: Filing Fee paid), filed by Maryland, State of, Michigan, State of, Nevada, State of, New Jersey, State of, New Mexico, State of, Oregon, State of, Rhode Island, State of, State of Vermont, Washington, State of, Wisconsin, State of, New York, State of, Illinois, State of, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, California, State of, Minnesota, the State of, Colorado, State of, Connecticut State of, State of Delaware, Hawaii, State of. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Civil Cover Sheet, # 3 Category Form)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

1 Exhibit A

View on RECAP

2 Civil Cover Sheet

View on PACER

3 Category Form

View on PACER

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Clearinghouse
2

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Case Assignment. Judge William G. Young 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: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

3

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Karyn Bass Ehler, Darren Kinkead, Elizabeth Jordan Filing fee: $ 375, receipt number AMADC-10973513 by State of Illinois. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Karyn Bass Ehler, # 2 Certificate of Darren Kinkead, # 3 Certificate of Elizabeth Jordan)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

4

Summons Issued as to Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Craig Trainor. 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. (SEC) (Entered: 04/25/2025)

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

Notice of Case Assignment

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025

5

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 3 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Karyn Bass Ehler, Darren Kinkead, and Elizabeth Jordan. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 04/26/2025)

April 26, 2025

April 26, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

April 26, 2025

April 26, 2025

6

NOTICE of Appearance by Darren Bernens Kinkead on behalf of State of Illinois (Kinkead, Darren) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

7

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Neil Giovanatti, BreAnna Listermann Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10974700 by State of Michigan. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Neil Giovanatti, # 2 Certificate of BreAnna Listermann)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

8

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 7 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Neil Giovanatti and BreAnna Listermann. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

9

NOTICE of Appearance by Eitan Sirkovich on behalf of Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Craig Trainor (Sirkovich, Eitan) (Main Document 9 replaced on 4/28/2025) (MAP). (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

10

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Laura Faer, William Downer, James Richardson, Annabelle Wilmott, Andrew Edelstein, and Michael L. Newman Filing fee: $ 750, receipt number AMADC-10975551 by State of California. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Laura Faer, # 2 Certificate of William Downer, # 3 Certificate of James Richardson, # 4 Certificate of Annabelle Wilmott, # 5 Certificate of Andrew Edelstein, # 6 Certificate of Michael Newman)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

11

NOTICE of Appearance by Neil Giovanatti on behalf of State of Michigan (Giovanatti, Neil) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

12

NOTICE of Appearance by BreAnna J. Listermann on behalf of State of Michigan (Listermann, BreAnna) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

13

SUMMONS Returned Executed as to US Attorney by State of Michigan, State of Connecticut, State of Vermont, State of Illinois, State of New York, State of Washington, State of Rhode Island, State of New Jersey, State of Colorado, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State of Hawaii, State of Nevada, State of New Mexico, State of Oregon, State of Delaware, State of California, State of Wisconsin, State of Maryland, State of Minnesota. All Defendants. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

14

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 10 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Laura Faer, William Downer, James Richardson, Annabelle Wilmott, Andrew Edelstein, and Michael L. Newman. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 04/28/2025)

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025

15

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of James Luh Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10977087 by State of Maryland. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of James Luh)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

16

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 15 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added James C. Luh. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

17

NOTICE of Appearance by James C. Luh on behalf of State of Maryland (Luh, James) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

18

NOTICE of Appearance by Karyn L. Bass Ehler on behalf of State of Illinois (Bass Ehler, Karyn) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

19

NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth H. Jordan on behalf of State of Illinois (Jordan, Elizabeth) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

20

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Christina L. Beatty-Walters Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10978318 by State of Oregon. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Christina L. Beatty-Walters)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

21

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 20 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Christina L. Beatty-Walters. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

22

NOTICE of Appearance by Laura Faer on behalf of State of California (Faer, Laura) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

23

NOTICE of Appearance by Andrew Z Edelstein on behalf of State of California (Edelstein, Andrew) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

24

NOTICE of Appearance by William Downer on behalf of State of California (Downer, William) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

25

NOTICE of Appearance by James Everett Richardson on behalf of State of California (Richardson, James) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

26

NOTICE of Appearance by Michael Louis Newman on behalf of State of California (Newman, Michael) (Entered: 04/29/2025)

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025

27

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Rachel Bachhuber Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10980331 by State of Wisconsin. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Rachel Bachhuber)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 04/30/2025)

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

28

NOTICE of Appearance by Annabelle Cathryn Wilmott on behalf of State of California (Wilmott, Annabelle) (Entered: 04/30/2025)

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

29

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 27 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Rachel Bachhuber. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 04/30/2025)

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025

30

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jonathan Rose Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10982245 by State of Vermont. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Jonathan Rose)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/01/2025)

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

31

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 30 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jonathan Rose. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/01/2025)

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

32

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Darren Cunningham Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10984054 by State of Connecticut. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Darren Cunningham)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/01/2025)

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 1, 2025

May 1, 2025

33

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 32 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Darren Cunningham. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

34

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Rabia Muqaddam, Sandra Park, Monica Hanna, Sandra Pullman, Kathryn Meyer Filing fee: $ 625, receipt number AMADC-10984927 by State of New York. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Rabia Muqaddam, # 2 Certificate of Sandra Park, # 3 Certificate of Sandra Pullman, # 4 Certificate of Monica Hanna, # 5 Certificate of Kathryn Meyer)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Attachment 3 replaced on 5/6/2025) (MAP). (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

35

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Wil Handley and Alex Finkelstein Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10984945 by State of New York. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Wil Handley, # 2 Certificate of Alex Finkelstein)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

36

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of David Moskowitz Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10985461 by State of Colorado. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of David Moskowitz)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

1 Certificate of David Moskowitz

View on PACER

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

37

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 34 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Rabia Muqaddam, Sandra Park, Monica Hanna, Sandra Pullman, and Kathryn Meyer. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

38

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 35 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Wil Handley and Alex Finkelstein. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

39

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 36 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added David Moskowitz. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

40

NOTICE of Appearance by David Moskowitz on behalf of State of Colorado (Moskowitz, David) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

RECAP
41

NOTICE of Appearance by Alex Finkelstein on behalf of State of New York (Finkelstein, Alex) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

42

NOTICE of Appearance by Monica Hanna on behalf of State of New York (Hanna, Monica) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

43

NOTICE of Appearance by Rabia Muqaddam on behalf of State of New York (Muqaddam, Rabia) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

44

NOTICE of Appearance by Sandra S. Park on behalf of State of New York (Park, Sandra) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

45

NOTICE of Appearance by Kathryn Meyer on behalf of State of New York (Meyer, Kathryn) (Entered: 05/02/2025)

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 2, 2025

May 2, 2025

46

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of James W. Grayson Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10989372 by State of New Mexico. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of James Grayson)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

47

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of David Day and Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10989621 by State of Hawaii. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of David Day, # 2 Certificate of Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

48

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 46 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added James W. Grayson. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

49

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 47 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added David Day and Kalikoonlani D. Fernandes. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/05/2025)

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 5, 2025

May 5, 2025

50

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jennifer Lerman and Farng-Yi D. Foo Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10991943 by State of New Jersey. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Jennifer Lerman, # 2 Certificate of Farng-Yi D. Foo)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/06/2025)

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

51

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 50 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jennifer Lerman and Farng-Yi D. Foo. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/06/2025)

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

52

NOTICE of Appearance by Kalikoonalani Diara Fernandes on behalf of State of Hawaii (Fernandes, Kalikoonalani) (Entered: 05/06/2025)

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

53

NOTICE of Appearance by David Dana Day on behalf of State of Hawaii (Day, David) (Entered: 05/06/2025)

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 6, 2025

May 6, 2025

54

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Lucy Wolf and Spencer W. Coates Filing fee: $ 250, receipt number AMADC-10994348 by State of Washington. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Lucy Wolf, # 2 Certificate of Spencer W. Coates)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

55

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Heidi Parry Stern Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-10994414 by State of Nevada. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Heidi Parry Stern)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

56

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 54 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Lucy Wolf and Spencer W. Coates. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

57

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 55 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Heidi Parry Stern. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

58

NOTICE of Appearance by Heidi Parry Stern on behalf of State of Nevada (Stern, Heidi) (Entered: 05/07/2025)

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 7, 2025

May 7, 2025

59

NOTICE of Appearance by James Grayson on behalf of State of New Mexico (Grayson, James) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

60

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Jordan Mickman Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11000611 by State of Rhode Island. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Jordan Mickman)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

61

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Vanessa Kassab Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11000646 by State of Delaware. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Vanessa Kassab)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

62

NOTICE of Appearance by Spencer Wade Coates on behalf of State of Washington (Coates, Spencer) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

63

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 60 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Jordan Mickman. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

64

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 61 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Vanessa Kassab. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

65

NOTICE of Appearance by Jennifer Lerman on behalf of State of New Jersey (Lerman, Jennifer) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

66

NOTICE of Appearance by Darren P Cunningham on behalf of State of Connecticut (Cunningham, Darren) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

67

NOTICE of Appearance by Farng-Yi Foo on behalf of State of New Jersey (Foo, Farng-Yi) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

68

NOTICE of Appearance by Lucy Wolf on behalf of State of Washington (Wolf, Lucy) (Entered: 05/09/2025)

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 9, 2025

May 9, 2025

69

MOTION for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice for admission of Elizabeth Kramer Filing fee: $ 125, receipt number AMADC-11003694 by State of Minnesota. (Attachments: # 1 Certificate of Elizabeth Kramer)(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 05/12/2025)

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

70

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 69 Motion for Leave to Appear Pro Hac Vice Added Elizabeth Kramer. 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. (MAP) (Entered: 05/12/2025)

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

Order on Motion for Leave to Appear

May 12, 2025

May 12, 2025

71

NOTICE of Appearance by Elizabeth C. Kramer on behalf of State of Minnesota (Kramer, Elizabeth) (Entered: 05/13/2025)

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

72

NOTICE of Appearance by Jonathan T Rose on behalf of State of Vermont (Rose, Jonathan) (Entered: 05/15/2025)

May 15, 2025

May 15, 2025

73

NOTICE of Appearance by Rachel Bachhuber on behalf of State of Wisconsin (Bachhuber, Rachel) (Entered: 05/27/2025)

May 27, 2025

May 27, 2025

74

NOTICE of Appearance by Sandra Elizabeth Pullman on behalf of State of New York (Pullman, Sandra) (Entered: 06/04/2025)

June 4, 2025

June 4, 2025

75

ANSWER to 1 Complaint,, by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Craig Trainor.(Sirkovich, Eitan) (Entered: 06/30/2025)

June 30, 2025

June 30, 2025

RECAP
76

ELECTRONIC NOTICE of Scheduling Conference: Scheduling Conference set for 9/24/2025 03:00 PM in Courtroom 18 (In person only) before Judge William G. Young. (KB) (Entered: 07/02/2025)

July 2, 2025

July 2, 2025

77

NOTICE of Appearance by Yael Shavit on behalf of Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Shavit, Yael) (Entered: 07/09/2025)

July 9, 2025

July 9, 2025

78

ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING: Scheduling Conference reset for 10/6/2025 03:00 PM in Courtroom 18 (In person only) before Judge William G. Young. (KB) (Entered: 08/20/2025)

Aug. 20, 2025

Aug. 20, 2025

Notice of Rescheduling

Aug. 20, 2025

Aug. 20, 2025

79

MOTION to Continue the Rule 16(b) Initial Scheduling Conference and Extend Filing Deadlines by State of Delaware, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State of California, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Hawaii, State of Illinois, State of Maryland, State of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of New Mexico, State of New York, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont. (Pagano, Adelaide) Modified on 9/17/2025 (MAP). (Entered: 09/16/2025)

Sept. 16, 2025

Sept. 16, 2025

80

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 79 MOTION to Continue the Rule 16(b) Initial Scheduling Conference and Extend Filing Deadlines. Scheduling Conference reset for 11/12/2025 03:00 PM in Courtroom 18 (In person only) before Judge William G. Young. (KB) (Entered: 09/17/2025)

Sept. 17, 2025

Sept. 17, 2025

Order on Motion to Continue

Sept. 17, 2025

Sept. 17, 2025

81

Consent MOTION to Continue Scheduling Conference to December 3, 2025, Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to November 26, 2025 to File Pre-Conference Joint Statement ( Responses due by 11/14/2025) by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Craig Trainor.(Sirkovich, Eitan) (Entered: 10/31/2025)

Oct. 31, 2025

Oct. 31, 2025

82

Judge William G. Young: ELECTRONIC ORDER entered granting 81 Consent MOTION to Continue Scheduling Conference to December 3, 2025, Consent MOTION for Extension of Time to November 26, 2025 to File Pre-Conference Joint Statement ( Responses due by 11/14/2025) by Department of Education, Linda McMahon, Craig Trainor. (KB) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

83

ELECTRONIC NOTICE OF RESCHEDULING: Scheduling Conference reset for 12/9/2025 02:00 PM in Courtroom 18 (In person only) before Judge William G. Young. (KB) (Entered: 11/03/2025)

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

Notice of Rescheduling

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

Order on Motion for Extension of Time to File AND Order on Motion to Continue

Nov. 3, 2025

Nov. 3, 2025

84

JOINT SUBMISSION pursuant to Local Rule 16.1 by State of Delaware, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, State of California, State of Colorado, State of Connecticut, State of Hawaii, State of Illinois, State of Maryland, State of Michigan, State of Minnesota, State of Nevada, State of New Jersey, State of New Mexico, State of New York, State of Oregon, State of Rhode Island, State of Washington, State of Wisconsin, State of Vermont.(Pagano, Adelaide) (Entered: 11/24/2025)

Nov. 24, 2025

Nov. 24, 2025

RECAP

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: April 25, 2025

Closing Date: Feb. 18, 2026

Case Ongoing: No reason to think so

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are nineteen states represented by their Attorneys General.

Plaintiff Type(s):

State Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

United States Department of Education (District of Columbia), Federal

Linda McMahon (District of Columbia), Federal

Craig Trianor (District of Columbia), Federal

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 551 et seq.

Constitutional Clause(s):

Separation of Powers

Spending/Appropriations Clauses

Other Dockets:

District of Massachusetts 1:25-cv-11116

Available Documents:

Complaint (any)

Trial Court Docket

Outcome

Prevailing Party: Plaintiff OR Mixed

Relief Sought:

Declaratory judgment

Injunction

Relief Granted:

Declaratory Judgment

Source of Relief:

Settlement

Form of Settlement:

Voluntary Dismissal

Issues

General/Misc.:

Education

Disability and Disability Rights:

Disability, unspecified