Judge extends ban on Trump administration canceling COVID school funding

A federal judge in Manhattan has extended a preliminary injunction blocking the Trump administration from canceling more than $1.1bn in unspent funding to to help elementary and high schools in 16 U.S. states and Washington, D.C. address the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. District Judge Edgardo Ramos’ extension directs the Department of Education to process “without delay” all current and future funding requests, and to offer a progress report within one month. The Biden administration had extended the aid’s availability through to March 2026; however, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said there were better uses for the money and that, in any case, states had had ample time to spend the funds. The case is New York et al v U.S. Department of Education et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-02990.