(The Center Square) – Nearly 1,000 educator jobs in North Carolina and $165 million in federal funding is threatened because the Trump administration is reviewing an estimated $6 billion in grants, says North Carolina’s attorney general.
Second-term Republican President Donald Trump and the Education Department are evaluating funding against priorities outlined in a series of executive orders signed earlier this year. Attorney General Jeff Jackson, backed by Gov. Josh Stein and Superintendent Mo Green, affixed North Carolina to a litigation complaint filed in Rhode Island naming as defendants Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, Director Russell Vought of the Office of Management and Budget; and Trump.
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Jackson, Stein and Green are all Democrats in their first terms.
California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Colorado First Assistant Attorney General Michelle Berge and Rhode Island attorney general’s office Deputy Chief Sarah Rice lead the plaintiffs from 24 states plus the District of Columbia.
Plaintiffs are asking for declaratory and injunctive relief, and instruction to fulfill their obligations. The Trump administration two weeks ago said it was ensuring grants are in alignment with policies and priorities, effectively stopping $6 billion distributed for after-school and summer programs, English language instruction and adult literacy.
The money may yet be distributed as originally appropriated, but if, when or whether at 100% is unknown pending the review. Regardless, the lawsuit aims to override the ability of review and potential change by the president and his administration.
Summer programs in operation may be in jeopardy. In North Carolina, teachers in most traditional schools are reporting to work in a month and students begin 2025-26 classes on Aug. 25.
Jackson said the state’s share is $67.9 million and 507 jobs in supporting effective instruction; $37.2 million and 247 jobs in student support and academic enrichment; $35.7 million and 29 jobs in 21st century community learning centers; $19.3 million and 133 jobs in English language acquisition; and $5.4 million and 66 jobs tied to the migrant education program.
Each of the state’s 115 public school districts is impacted by at least one of the five areas. Losses in all five would happen in the districts of Ashe County, Edgecombe County, Lenoir County, Nash County, Pender County, Richmond County, Robeson County and Whiteville City.
The five largest student population districts have the potential for most fiscal loss: Mecklenburg County ($12.2 million); Wake County ($8 million); Guilford County ($6.2 million); Forsyth County ($5.5 million) and Cumberland County ($4.2 million). Seven others exceed $2 million: Robeson County ($3.1 million); Durham County ($2.9 million); Gason County ($2.7 million); Johnston County ($2.4 million); Pitt County ($2.1 million); Nash County ($2.1 million); and Buncombe County ($2 million).
“While the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction respects the federal administration’s right to review programs, I must emphasize that our legal obligations to serve these students remain unchanged, and the timing creates significant and unnecessary challenges for schools, community organizations, and most importantly, the children who depend on these services,” said Superintendent Mo Green. “I support efforts, including this nationwide lawsuit, to resolve this situation quickly and ensure that North Carolina students receive the support they need and deserve and that our federal government agreed to provide them.”
Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., represents the Charlotte-Mecklenburg district and said, “Recklessly withholding these federal education funds has placed CMS in an untenable position: understaff our classrooms or incur millions of dollars in debt. Either option is a disservice to and betrayal of our students.”
Republican leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives did not offer opinions through social media, as they might for other hot-button issues such as veto overrides.
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Speaking for the Republican Party, Matt Mercer said, “The Trump administration is evaluating funding to ensure it meets the priorities outlined in executive orders signed by the president. That’s it. Multiple North Carolina cities have seen homicide rates increase in 2025 and some North Carolina sheriffs still refuse to cooperate with ICE, but Jackson’s top priority is joining with other radical left-wing attorneys general to spend taxpayer money on a lawsuit against President Trump so he can raise money for his next act of political opportunism.”
Nevada, led by Gov. Joe Lombardo, and Vermont, led by Gov. Phil Scott, are the only states with a Republican governor that are plaintiffs; Kansas, led by Gov. Laura Kelly, is the only state with a Democratic governor not a plaintiff.