Maryland Attorney General Secures Full Relief for Schools in Lawsuit Challenging Education Funding Withholding

Strategic Insights -

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown led a multistate coalition in suing the Trump administration over its decision to freeze federal education funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. The lawsuit aimed to compel the release of approximately $110 million in funding that was frozen, jeopardizing programs for after-school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and supporting students learning English in Maryland. After the Trump administration released the first tranche of funding, the parties jointly filed to dismiss the case under an agreement that ensured the remaining funding would be released on time.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration agreed to release the full balance of remaining education funding by October 3, 2025, as part of a settlement in a multistate lawsuit led by Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown.
  • The lawsuit challenged the administration's decision to freeze funding for six longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, which jeopardized programs for after-school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and supporting students learning English in Maryland.
  • The frozen funding, approximately $110 million, was critical for key programs, including after-school and summer learning, teacher preparation, and student support in Maryland.
  • The agreement ensured that Maryland's K-12 schools and adult education programs would receive every dollar of the promised federal education funding.
  • Attorney General Brown stated that the agreement protected Marylanders' education and stood up for their rights when the federal government's broken promises threatened their future.
  • The Trump administration's decision to freeze funding on June 30 was deemed unlawful and unconstitutional, violating federal funding statutes, regulations, and the constitutional separation of powers doctrine.
  • A coalition of 23 attorneys general and two states joined the lawsuit, including Maryland, to address the unlawful withholding of federal education funding.

Statistics:

  • Approximately $110 million: The amount of federal education funding frozen by the Trump administration for six programs in Maryland.
  • 6 programs: The number of longstanding programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education that were affected by the frozen funding.
  • 23 attorneys general: The number of attorneys general that joined the lawsuit, including Maryland, to address the unlawful withholding of federal education funding.
  • 2 states: The number of states that joined the lawsuit, along with Maryland.
  • 7/14/2025: The date that Maryland Attorney General Brown joined a coalition in filing a lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's decision.
  • 10/3/2025: The deadline set by the agreement for the Trump administration to release the full balance of remaining education funding.

Sources:

  • [Maryland Attorney General's Office]

* https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/press/2025/082525.pdf

  • [Maryland Attorney General's Office]

* https://www.marylandattorneygeneral.gov/News%20Documents/0825_Filing.pdf