WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Trump administration has withheld $6.8 billion in federal education funding from state education departments across the United States, sparking fierce criticism from state officials and education leaders.
The freeze, announced in an email from the U.S. Department of Education, affects approximately 10% of federal funding for K-12 education, halting resources for critical programs such as after-school initiatives, English language services, and teacher professional development. For California, the freeze translates to nearly $811 million withheld from the state.
Each year on July 1, states typically receive federal education funds allocated by Congress for the upcoming school year. Many school districts have already incorporated these funds into budgets to cover salaries, educational materials, technology, and other essential expenses.
The Department’s email to state education departments declared:
“The Department will not be issuing Grant Award Notifications obligating funds for these programs on July 1 prior to completing that review.”
The email outlined affected programs including:
- Title I-C: Migrant Education
- Title II-A: Professional Development
- Title III-A: English Learner Services
- Title IV-A: Academic Enrichment
- Title IV-B: Before- and After-School Programs
The Department defended the freeze, stating:
“The Department remains committed to ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities and the Department’s statutory responsibilities.”
California Calls Freeze ‘Illegal’
California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond condemned the move, calling it unlawful and harmful to students:
“Trump is illegally impounding billions of dollars appropriated by Congress to serve students this fiscal year. We’re told by Trump’s Department of Education that they are withholding critical school funding that isn’t in ‘accordance with the President’s priorities,’” Thurmond wrote on X.
“The Administration is punishing children when states refuse to cater to Trump’s political ideology. This illegal action will harm students starting now; it cannot stand!”
During a press conference, Thurmond assured the public that California would fight back:
“We won’t stand for it. It will not happen on our watch,” Thurmond said. “The dollars that the President and his administration have threatened to take back have already been approved by Congress. This is an illegal action.”
Max Arias, executive director of Service Employees International Union Local 99, also spoke out:
“President Trump, stop this unlawful seizure of school funds! Stop ripping away school lunches, bus transportation, after-school programs, and other vital services from our students. Pay the state of California what we are owed.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office called the move politically motivated:
“It wouldn’t be a day ending in ‘y’ without the Trump administration trying to defund California,” said Elana Ross, Newsom’s deputy communications director.
“Threatening schools across the country does nothing but sow chaos and confusion that harms all students.”
Illinois and Other States React
The backlash is not limited to California. Illinois Superintendent of Education Tony Sanders also criticized the funding freeze:
“The delay by the Trump administration in issuing federal education funding allocations is deeply disruptive, irresponsible and damaging to Illinois’ 1.9 million public school students,” Sanders said.
“This inaction forces local districts to deal with unnecessary uncertainty and places an undue burden on teachers, administrators, and families alike at the exact moment when they should be focused on preparing for the next school year.”
Uncertain Future for Schools
With many states depending on these funds to support vulnerable students and critical education services, the freeze is expected to create widespread budgetary disruptions. Education officials across the country continue to demand the immediate release of the funds, warning of significant harm to students and school operations if the freeze remains in place.
