The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights, typically known for its enforcement of disability services in schools across America, has taken on a more prominent role in President Donald Trump’s political agenda. Trump-appointed officials have put a pause on numerous pending cases to focus on new investigations aligned with the president’s campaign promises. Career employees have been sidelined and pressured to resign, with a shift in priorities towards antisemitism, transgender issues, and anti-DEI complaints.
A recent memo from the office’s chief announced that antisemitism cases are now the top priority, targeting colleges where pro-Palestinian protests have sparked accusations of anti-Jewish bias. This move followed a decision to cut federal funding to Columbia University, where a Palestinian activist involved in student protests was arrested by immigration officials.
This shift in focus has put on hold cases that the office traditionally prioritized, such as students with disabilities in need of services and those facing harassment based on their skin color. While pauses in civil rights cases are typical during transitions, the freeze under the Trump administration has been longer and more rigid than previous transitions.
Although the freeze on disability cases was lifted in February, the delay has impacted families and individuals seeking assistance. Staff lawyers were instructed not to engage with external communications, leaving families in the dark about the status of their cases.
Despite urgent cases traditionally receiving exceptions, they remained in limbo during the freeze. Desperate parents reached out to the office for help but received no response, leaving them feeling ignored and frustrated.
As investigations resume, the office has emphasized antisemitism as a top priority, potentially overshadowing other enforcement activities. The Education Department has warned colleges, including Ivy League institutions like Harvard and Cornell, that they risk losing federal funding if they do not ensure the safety of Jewish students on their campuses.
The shifting priorities and delays in civil rights cases have left many families and individuals in distress, with concerns about the impact on marginalized communities and the effectiveness of the office’s enforcement efforts.
Democrats criticized Biden officials for opening cases related to COVID-19 mask bans and transgender student rights, while Republicans accused them of going too far. Some longtime staffers noted that political agendas were starting to take precedence over their regular work for the first time. Trump called for a complete shutdown of the Education Department, labeling it as infiltrated by leftists. McMahon suggested that the civil rights office might be better placed within the Justice Department. Certain cases are progressing, while others seem to be at a standstill, according to special education advocate Marcie Lipsitt from Michigan. She emphasized the need for increased accountability within the Education Department. Under the Trump administration, proactive inquiries known as “directed investigations” were initiated, targeting issues such as transgender athletes and pro-Palestinian protesters at universities. This surge in workload, combined with a reduction in staff due to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts being curtailed, has strained the office’s resources. Changes in policies, such as no longer sending reminders for consent forms required for investigations, have raised concerns about potential dismissals of cases on technicalities. Special education advocates are increasingly turning to state agencies for support, expressing apprehension about the future impact on students’ rights. Attendees at a recent conference in California voiced uncertainty and fear about what may come next.
