Supreme court clears way for Trump to gut education department
The supreme court has cleared the way for Donald Trump’s administration to resume dismantling the Department of Education, part of his effort to shrink the federal government’s role in education in favor of more state control.
In the latest high court win for Trump, the justices lifted a federal judge’s order that had reinstated nearly 1,400 workers affected by mass layoffs at the department and blocked the administration from transferring key functions to other federal agencies.
A legal challenge is continuing to play out in lower courts. The court’s action came in a brief, unsigned order. Its three liberal justices dissented.
Key events
Jessica Glenza
In what Trump administration officials dubbed a “major announcement”, health and agriculture department leaders said the US dairy industry agreed to voluntarily remove synthetic dyes from ice-cream.
The announcement continues the Trump administration’s pattern of voluntary agreements with industry – from health insurers to snack food makers.
“This is relevant to my favorite food, which is ice-cream,” said the US health secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr. “Since we came in about five and a half months ago and started talking about eliminating dyes and other bad chemicals from our food, we’ve had this extraordinary response from our industry.”
Representatives of the dairy industry said that more than 40 ice cream companies agreed not to use synthetic dyes. Kennedy also alluded to the future release of new dietary guidelines, which would “elevate” dairy products, including full-fat dairy, to “where they ought to be in terms of contributing to the health of our children”.
Our colleague Robert Tait has written this profile of Dan Bongino, the FBI deputy director who told friends he was thinking about quitting his job over the Epstein Files.
It is not the first time Bongino has appeared unhappy in his work. In May he cried during a live appearance on Fox & Friends, lamenting that he “gave up everything” to take the FBI role.
Sam Levine
The US attorney general, Pam Bondi, fired the justice department’s top ethics adviser on Friday, the latest in a series of dismissals that comes as Donald Trump and allies have sought retribution against civil servants in the agency.
Joseph Tirrell, who had served as the head of the justice department’s ethics office, since 2023, revealed he had been fired in a post on LinkedIn. He shared Bondi’s letter to him, which misspelled his name and did not give a reason for his termination.
Neither Tirrell nor the justice department returned a request for comment.
“My public service is not over, and my career as a Federal civil servant is not finished,” Tirrell wrote in the post. “I took the oath at 18 as a Midshipman to ‘support and defend the constitution of the United States’. I have taken that oath at least five more times since then. That oath did not come with the caveat that I need only support the constitution when it is easy or convenient.”
Eric Berger
Andrew Cuomo, former New York governor, said on Monday that he will run as an independent in New York City’s mayoral race, after losing in the Democratic primary to Zohran Mamdani.
Many saw Cuomo as the favorite in the primary, but he ultimately lost to Mamdani, a current member of the New York state assembly, by more than 12 points.
Some corporate leaders, moderate Democrats and Republicans have expressed concern about Mamdani’s progressive policy platform and stance on issues such as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Cuomo, who resigned as New York governor in 2021 after facing sexual harassment allegations, also faces competition from Republican Curtis Sliwa, and the current New York mayor, Eric Adams, who also decided to run as an independent following a federal indictment.
Allowing Trump to gut education department ‘will unleash untold harm’, Sotomayor warns in dissent
In an impassioned dissent, supreme court justice Sonia Sotomayor warned on Monday that the conservative majority’s decision to allow the Trump administration to move ahead with dismantling the federal department of education, an independent agency that only congress has the power to close, will do lasting damage.
The court’s ruling allows the administration to immediately fire 1,400 employees of the department, overturning a lower court injunction that the mass layoffs should be put on hold until litigation to decide whether or not the administration is legally allowed to close the department continues.
“The relative harms to the parties are also vastly disproportionate. While the Government will, no doubt, suffer pocketbook harms from having to pay employees that it sought to fire as the litigation proceeds,” Sotomayor wrote, “the harm to this Nation’s education system and individual students is of a far greater magnitude.”
“The Department is responsible for providing critical funding and services to millions of students and scores of schools across the country”, she continued. “Lifting the District Court’s injunction will unleash untold harm, delaying or denying educational opportunities and leaving students to suffer from discrimination, sexual assault, and other civil rights violations without the federal resources Congress intended. The majority apparentlydeems it more important to free the Government from paying employees it had no right to fire than to avert these very real harms while the litigation continues.”
As our colleague Joseph Gedeon has explained, the department manages a budget of approximately $268bn and employs about 4,400 staff members and its core responsibilities have included distributing federal financial aid for education, collecting data on the US’s schools, identifying major educational issues and enforcing federal education laws prohibiting discrimination and implementing congressional education legislation.
“Investigating civil rights violations is a critical function of the department, carried out by their Office of Civil Rights (OCR)”, the Guardian’s Gloria Oladipo reported in January. “In 2023, OCR received a record 19,201 complaints, according to the department’s annual report, with 45% of complaints relating to sex discrimination. Amid an onslaught of legislation targeting transgender youth last year, the OCR fielded several complaints from LGBTQ+ students against their school districts.”
Eighteen percent of complaints in 2023 dealt with race and national origin discrimination, including bullying and racist harassment from school officials.
Leah Litman, a co-host of the Strict Scrutiny podcast and the author of “Lawless: How the Supreme Court Runs on Conservative Grievance, Fringe Theories, & Bad Vibes”, pointed out the apparent hypocrisy of the court’s conservative majority for having previously ruled that a Democratic president, Joe Biden, did not have the authority to order his education department to cancel student loan debt, but a Republican president, Donald Trump, has the power to gut the whole department with approval from congress.
“Let’s take stock here” Litman wrote on Bluesky, “(Democratic) Presidents, via the Dept of Education, can’t cancel student debt because statutes don’t clearly authorize it. Republican Presidents can cancel/shut down the Dept of Education because, even though only Congress can shut down departments”.
Supreme court clears way for Trump to gut education department
The supreme court has cleared the way for Donald Trump’s administration to resume dismantling the Department of Education, part of his effort to shrink the federal government’s role in education in favor of more state control.
In the latest high court win for Trump, the justices lifted a federal judge’s order that had reinstated nearly 1,400 workers affected by mass layoffs at the department and blocked the administration from transferring key functions to other federal agencies.
A legal challenge is continuing to play out in lower courts. The court’s action came in a brief, unsigned order. Its three liberal justices dissented.
The day so far
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Trump’s Maga base remains in a state of flux over his administration’s handling of the Epstein files – with his deputy FBI director, Dan Bongino, so fuming he’s somewhat at large over the row. It follows the justice department’s claim last week that it didn’t have a list of Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged clients, and its finding that the convicted sex offender wasn’t murdered – both of which have caused uproar among rightwing commentators and influencers, who usually worship Trump’s every move. Attorney general Pam Bondi – who suggested in February that the client list was on her desk – has been the subject of particular ire, with Magaworld figures clamoring for her to be fired (Bongino is reportedly so “out-of-control furious” with her that he’s threatened to resign if she doesn’t go). Trump has defended Bondi and hit out at her critics, and sources have told CNN that whether he’s already resigned or not Bongino’s position with the White House has become untenable.
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Maga heavyweight Tucker Carlson – who recently also questioned Trump over his decision to bomb Iran – led the calls for transparency, telling NBC News this morning that he now believes the justice department doesn’t actually have “much relevant information about Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes”. “Rather than just admit that, Pam Bondi made a bunch of ludicrous claims on cable news shows that she couldn’t back up, and this current outrage is the result,” Carlson said.
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Politicians in Kyiv welcomed Trump’s announcement that billions of dollars worth of US military equipment will be sent to Ukraine, while officials in Moscow officials dismissed his threat of sanctions against Russia as hot air. In a meeting earlier with the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, at the White House, Trump said the US would send Patriot anti-aircraft batteries and interceptor missiles, paid for by European allies. He promised that additional Patriot systems would arrive within days, funded by Germany and other Nato partners, which would be a significant step in helping Ukraine to defend itself. Kyiv is believed to have only six functioning Patriot batteries. Russian officials and pro-war bloggers largely dismissed Trump’s threats, portraying them as far less serious than anticipated.
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Former president Joe Biden denied claims that his circle of aides acted without his knowledge when he granted a slew of pardons and commutations in the final days and hours of his presidency. “I made every single one of those,” the former president told the New York Times in an interview published yesterday when asked about claims that he was incapacitated and unaware of clemency decisions. Biden called the people making those claims “liars”, adding: “They know it.”
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The notorious new “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail in the Florida Everglades contains hundreds of detainees with no criminal records or charges, it was disclosed yesterday, as lawmakers decried “inhumane” conditions inside after touring the facility. At least one detainee shouted out to politicians during Saturday’s visit that he was a US citizen, the Democratic Florida congressman Maxwell Frost said. And the Miami Herald obtained and published a list of 700 people held in cages showing that at least 250 had committed no offense other than a civil immigration violation.
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A coalition of mostly Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit today challenging a move by Trump’s administration to withhold about $6.8bn in congressionally approved federal funding for K-12 schools. Attorneys general or governors from 24 states and the District of Columbia sued in federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, arguing that the US Department of Education and the office of management and budget threw schools nationwide into chaos by unconstitutionally freezing funding for six programs approved by Congress.
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King Charles has invited Trump for an unprecedented second state visit in September, scheduling the trip for three days when UK parliament is not sitting and removing the possibility of the US president addressing parliament.
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Trump continued his attacks on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell today, calling him a “stupid guy” and a “knucklehead” as he called once again for interest rates to be lowered to 1% or less.
Bongino still in limbo following major bust-up with Bondi over Epstein files – CNN
As of this morning, nobody in leadership at the justice department had spoken to fuming deputy FBI director Dan Bongino since Wednesday, when he implied that he could no longer continue in his position as long as Pam Bondi remained in post, sources familiar with the matter have told CNN.
As we reported earlier, Bongino didn’t show up for work on Friday and, according to CNN, “largely excommunicated himself from colleagues” following his major falling out with the attorney general over her handling of the Epstein files.
CNN’s report goes on: “The [resignation] threat infuriated Trump, who spent the weekend fuming over both Bongino and FBI director Kash Patel, sources told CNN. Most of his fury was directed at Bongino, causing aides to expect that the deputy director would depart his job in the coming days. But vice-president JD Vance spent the weekend attempting to mediate, at times fielding calls from Patel, Bongino and Bondi, sources said.
“It remains to be seen if Bongino ultimately resigns, which he told others he was considering. But sources say his relationship with the White House has become basically untenable. Even if he does not quit now, some inside the administration believe he will not stay in the job long-term.
What CNN is hearing appears in line with Maga influencer and far-right activist Laura Loomer’s earlier prediction for Politico: “I don’t see how there can be a situation where Bongino can coexist with Blondi [Loomer’s derisive moniker for Bondi] as attorney general, and so I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a resignation from Bongino. Perhaps I’m wrong, but it would not shock me if Bongino resigns in the next week.”
Immigrants in overcapacity Ice detention raise food quality concerns – NBC News
Immigrants being held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) detention centers in at least seven states are complaining of hunger, food shortages and spoiled food, detainees and immigration advocates have told NBC News.
Per NBC’s report: “Some detainees have gotten sick; others say they have lost weight. In one facility, an incident involving detainees reportedly broke out in part because of food.
“The food problems come amid overcrowding at Ice facilities tied to the Trump administration’s push to quickly ramp up immigration arrests. While capacity data isn’t publicly available for every Ice detention facility, nationwide figures on the availability of beds show a system beyond its overall capacity. As of mid-June, Ice was detaining nearly 60,000 people, almost 45% above the capacity provided for by Congress.”
King Charles schedules unprecedented second Trump state visit for when UK parliament is in recess
Kiran Stacey
King Charles has invited Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit in September, scheduling the trip for three days when parliament is not sitting and removing the possibility of the US president addressing parliament.
Buckingham Palace announced today that Trump would come to the UK from 17-19 September, soon after the House of Commons rises for its traditional break for the annual party conferences.
The king will host Trump and his wife, Melania, at Windsor Castle, though the palace has not yet set out any other details of the trip.
The visit is a coup for the White House, with Trump becoming the first elected politician in modern history to be granted two state visits, after his earlier one in 2019. The king first suggested the possibility of a second such event in February, delivered in the form of a letter by Keir Starmer during a meeting in the White House.
The dates of the trip, however, avoid the prospect of the US president making an address to parliament.
Kyiv hails US weapons deal as Moscow dismisses Trump’s sanctions threat
Politicians in Kyiv have welcomed Donald Trump’s announcement that billions of dollars worth of US military equipment will be sent to Ukraine, while officials in Moscow officials dismissed his threat of sanctions against Russia as hot air.
In a meeting earlier with the Nato secretary general, Mark Rutte, at the White House, Trump said the US would send Patriot anti-aircraft batteries and interceptor missiles, paid for by European allies.
He promised that additional Patriot systems would arrive within days, funded by Germany and other Nato partners, which would be a significant step in helping Ukraine to defend itself. Kyiv is believed to have only six functioning Patriot batteries.
Russian officials and pro-war bloggers largely dismissed Trump’s threats, portraying them as far less serious than anticipated.
Konstantin Kosachev, a senior Russian lawmaker, wrote on Telegram that the US president’s ultimatum amounted to “hot air”, suggesting he could easily walk it back. “A lot can change in 50 days – on the battlefield and in the mindset of those in power, both in the US and in Nato,” he wrote.
Yuri Podolyaka, a popular pro-Kremlin military blogger, similarly wrote on Telegram that Trump “could change his ‘opinion’ several times in the next 50 days”.
Podolyaka and other commentators pointed to the main Moscow stock index, which gained more than 2.5% after Trump’s announcement.
Here’s the full story from my colleagues Luke Harding and Pjotr Sauer:
Trump continues attacks on Federal Reserve chair
Donald Trump has continued his attacks on Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell today, calling him a “stupid guy” and a “knucklehead”.
He told reporters at the White House earlier:
We have a bad Fed chairman, really bad … I tried being nice to the guy. It doesn’t help. He’s like a knucklehead. No, he’s a knucklehead. Stupid guy. He really is.
He earlier called once again for interest rates to be lowered to 1% or less. “We should be at 1%. We should be less than 1%,” he said.
Trump administration sued by US states over withholding $6.8bn for schools
A coalition of mostly Democratic-led states filed a lawsuit today challenging a move by Donald Trump’s administration to withhold about $6.8bn in congressionally approved federal funding for K-12 schools.
Attorneys general or governors from 24 states and the District of Columbia sued in federal court in Providence, Rhode Island, arguing that the US Department of Education and the office of management and budget threw schools nationwide into chaos by unconstitutionally freezing funding for six programs approved by Congress.
The freeze extended to funding used to support the education of migrant farm workers and their children; recruitment and training of teachers; English proficiency learning; academic enrichment; and after-school and summer programs.
The administration also froze funding used to support adult literacy and job-readiness skills.
The government was legally required to release the money to the states by 1 July, the lawsuit said. Instead, the education department notified states on 30 June that it would not be issuing grant awards under those programs by that deadline. It cited the change in administration as its reason.
An OMB spokesperson at the time cited an “ongoing programmatic review” of education funding and said initial findings showed what he termed as a misuse of grant funds to “subsidize a radical leftwing agenda”.
OMB also raised objections to the use of the grant money to support scholarships for immigrant students and lessons that involved LGBTQ+ themes.
The Democratic-led states said the sweeping funding freeze has disrupted school systems, resulting in summer school and after-school programs being canceled or put at risk and the halting of other initiatives with little time for school districts to fill in the holes left in their budgets.
The states say the administration violated the US constitution by disregarding Congress’ sole authority over spending and ran afoul of federal administrative law by freezing the funds without any reasoned explanation.
The states also say the administration failed to abide by procedures of the Impoundment Control Act, which bars the executive branch from unilaterally refusing to spend funds appropriated by Congress unless certain steps are followed.
The lawsuit follows a series of other cases Democratic-led states and others have filed challenging the administration’s sweeping efforts to freeze or terminate federal funding for programs out of step with Trump’s agenda.
Hundreds of detainees with no criminal charges sent to Trump’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
Richard Luscombe
The notorious new “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail in the Florida Everglades contains hundreds of detainees with no criminal records or charges, it was disclosed yesterday, as lawmakers decried “inhumane” conditions inside after touring the facility.
Donald Trump has insisted that the remote camp in swamp land populated by pythons and alligators was reserved for immigrants who were “deranged psychopaths” and “some of the most vicious people on the planet” awaiting deportation.
But at least one detainee shouted out to politicians during Saturday’s visit that he was a US citizen, the Democratic Florida congressman Maxwell Frost said. And the Miami Herald obtained and published a list of 700 people held in cages showing that at least 250 had committed no offense other than a civil immigration violation.
Authorities have refused to release a list of those sent there by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (Ice). The Florida department of emergency management, which operates the hastily assembled tent encampment, did not respond to a request from the Guardian for clarification or comment.
Frost said the revelations, and the lawmakers’ visit, raised new questions about the legality of the camp, which federal agencies in court documents have insisted is entirely a state-run and -funded operation.
There are Ice agents there every day, and I was told directly from the guy running the whole thing that Ice tells them exactly what to do, how to put everything together.
They gave them the instructions on how to do the cages, the food, who comes in and goes out. It’s Ice making all the decisions, and he was very clear that the role the state is playing is logistical. This is a federal facility. Ice is calling all the shots.
Biden denies White House aides granted clemency without his knowledge
Edward Helmore
Joe Biden has denied claims that his circle of aides acted without his knowledge when he granted a slew of pardons and commutations in the final days and hours of his presidency.
“I made every single one of those,” the former president told the New York Times in an interview published yesterday when asked about claims that he was incapacitated and unaware of clemency decisions. Biden called the people making those claims “liars”, adding: “They know it.”
Donald Trump’s successor and predecessor in the Oval Office issued three sets of clemency during his final days, including reducing sentences of hundreds of non-violent drug offenders and commuting the sentences of 37 federal death row inmates to life without parole.
He pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, of convictions on federal gun and tax charges, too. And he also granted pre-emptive pardons to other members of his immediate family, along with the former top public health adviser Dr Anthony Fauci and ex-joint chiefs of staff chair Gen Mark Milley.
Conservatives have alleged that the commutations and pardons, along with executive orders passed during his term, are not binding because they were signed using an autopen printer to reproduce a signature and could therefore not be verified as being directly authorized by Biden himself.
In the NYT interview, Biden hit back at that suggestion, telling the Times he hadn’t personally signed the orders simply “because there were a lot of them”.
“The autopen … is legal,” Biden said. “As you know, other presidents used it, including Trump. But the point is that … we’re talking about a whole lot of people.”
Biden has previously pushed back on Republican claims he was unaware of what was being issued in his name.
“Let me be clear: I made the decisions during my presidency,” he said in June. “I made the decisions about the pardons, executive orders, legislation, and proclamations. Any suggestion that I didn’t is ridiculous and false.”
In his most recent remarks, to the Times, Biden accused Republicans of using the autopen issue as diversion.
They’ve lied so consistently about almost everything they’re doing. The best thing they can do is try to change the focus and focus on something else. And … I think that’s what this is about.
Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte took a bit of a back seat as Donald Trump answered questions from reporters in a media session that just ended.
But Rutte did say that Germany, Finland, Canada, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom and Denmark would be among the buyers to supply Ukraine. He said “speed is of the essence here,” and that the shipments should make Putin “reconsider” peace negotiations.
