AG Tong Sues Trump Administration Over Frozen Federal Education Funds For Connecticut

CONNECTICUT — Connecticut Attorney General William Tong has joined a coalition of 25 states in a lawsuit against the Trump administration, challenging what the group describes as the unlawful and arbitrary freeze of $6.8 billion in federal education grants, including more than $53 million designated for Connecticut schools.

The funding freeze, announced by the U.S. Department of Education on June 30, affects six long-established formula grant programs that states have relied upon for decades to support after school programs, classroom technology, English language instruction, teacher training, and adult education. Connecticut officials said the loss of funds is already disrupting summer learning initiatives and threatens plans for the upcoming academic year.

"We are talking about over $53 million already built into local school budgets in nearly every district in Connecticut for computers and technology, afterschool enrichment and field trips, social workers, English language instruction, teacher training, adult education and more," Tong said.

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The lawsuit, filed by attorneys general from states including California, New York, Illinois, and Massachusetts, argues that the freeze violates multiple federal statutes and constitutional provisions, including the separation of powers and the Administrative Procedures Act. The complaint seeks to both declare the freeze illegal and block any further efforts to withhold the funding.

Gov. Ned Lamont called the federal action "shameful," stating it undermines Connecticut’s ongoing efforts to improve student outcomes. "While no state in the nation will be able to backfill these massive cuts, we have been doing our part to lift students up, reduce absenteeism through investments in the LEAP program, increasing support for special education, and more," Lamont said.

Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker said the Connecticut State Department of Education is working to provide guidance to districts and grantees impacted by the funding delay.

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Legislative leaders and educators echoed concerns over the impact on local budgets and school programming.

"This is a broken promise that causes real harm to our schools and our kids," said Sen. Doug McCrory, co-chair of the state legislature’s Education Committee. "Districts across Connecticut were counting on these dollars to support after-school programs, strengthen classroom instruction, and make sure educators had the resources they need."

State Rep. Jenn Leeper, also a committee co-chair, said the cuts are particularly disruptive to nonprofits and low-income families, while Kate Dias, president of the Connecticut Education Association, described the freeze as “reckless” and politically motivated.

The affected grants traditionally provide 25 percent of their annual allocations around July 1, giving states and local education agencies time to budget and plan. According to the lawsuit, states have complied with all legal requirements and had already received approval for their funding plans.

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“This abrupt action throws school plans into chaos just weeks before the 2025–2026 year begins,” the lawsuit states.

The coalition’s legal filing is the latest in a series of challenges brought by state attorneys general over federal funding decisions during the Trump administration.