Education Department Rehires Staff to Tackle Discrimination Backlog

The Trump administration is recalling Education Department staff laid off earlier due to lawsuits, to address a growing backlog of discrimination complaints. Despite ongoing litigation, these staffers will return temporarily to handle over 25,000 pending civil rights cases, though the department aims to further downsize.

The Trump administration has decided to recall dozens of Education Department staff members who were previously set to be laid off. This move comes amidst a growing backlog of discrimination complaints from students and families that the department is currently facing.

Previously placed on administrative leave, the staff belonged to the Office for Civil Rights, which handles discrimination investigations within educational institutions. Department officials, in a recent letter, instructed these employees to return to their duties starting December 15th to address the backlog of civil rights cases.

Although the department seeks to reduce its workforce, it will utilize current employees supported by taxpayer funding to manage over 25,000 pending cases concerning disability, racial, and other discrimination rights violations.

(With inputs from agencies.)