Education Department Dismissed 90% of Civil Rights Cases Under Trump

Watchdog report finds massive cuts to civil rights office led to dismissal of thousands of discrimination complaints

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A new government watchdog report found that the Education Department office responsible for protecting the rights of marginalized and minority students in K-12 public schools dismissed nearly every discrimination complaint it received in 2025, due to the Trump administration's massive reduction in force. The report also found that the administration's attempt to lay off about half of the department's Office for Civil Rights may have cost taxpayers as much as $38 million.

Why it matters

The volume of discrimination cases the civil rights office dismissed and the price tag for gutting the office highlight the dramatic effects of the Trump administration's twin goals for public education: dismantling the Education Department and waging a 'war on woke' that would end federal enforcement of civil rights law. Experts say this could lead to more civil rights abuses going unnoticed.

The details

Between March 11 and September 23, 2025, the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights received over 9,000 complaints alleging discrimination, but more than 7,000 of those complaints — around 90% — were dismissed. The administration's attempt to lay off about half of the OCR staff and shut down seven of the department's 12 regional offices was blocked by a federal judge, but the employees were still put on administrative leave, meaning taxpayers were still paying their salaries even though they were not working.

  • In March 2025, the Trump administration laid off nearly half of the OCR staff and shuttered seven of the department's 12 regional offices.
  • Between March 11 and September 23, 2025, the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights received over 9,000 complaints alleging discrimination.

The players

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

The Education Department office responsible for protecting the rights of marginalized and minority students in the nation's K-12 public schools.

Donald Trump

The former president who promised to shutter the Education Department and wage a 'war on woke' that would end federal enforcement of civil rights law.

Katy Neas

CEO of The Arc of the United States, an organization that protects disability rights.

Beth Gellman-Beer

Former leader of the OCR's regional office in Philadelphia who was laid off in March 2025.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

The government watchdog that issued the report on the Education Department's dismissal of civil rights cases and the costs of the mass layoffs.

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What they’re saying

“Families have a right to turn to OCR when a child is denied accommodations, pushed out of class, harassed, or disciplined unfairly because of disability. When those complaints aren't addressed, schools lose clear direction, families lose answers, and students live with the consequences for years.”

— Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States

“No one's following up on those cases. That's what keeps me up at night.”

— Beth Gellman-Beer, Former leader of the OCR's regional office in Philadelphia

What’s next

The Government Accountability Office report found that the Education Department failed to fully account for the costs and savings associated with the mass layoffs, and the department did not document its analyses as directed. This lack of transparency raises questions about whether the administration's actions truly achieved the stated goal of improving efficiency and productivity.

The takeaway

The dramatic reduction in the Education Department's civil rights enforcement under the Trump administration has had severe consequences, with thousands of discrimination complaints going unaddressed and the potential for increased civil rights abuses in schools. This case highlights the importance of a robust and well-funded Office for Civil Rights to protect the rights of marginalized students.