A federal judge on Friday sharply questioned a lawyer from President Donald Trump's Justice Department who was defending the administration's move to terminate more than 1,300 U.S. Department of Education employees against a challenge by Democratic-led states.

Rhode Island joined 18 other states in a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education. The lawsuit challenges the potential withholding of federal education funds over diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Rhode Island stands to lose over $116 million annually in federal education funding.

According to Kenneth Wong, a professor of education policy, international and public affairs and political science, the Trump administration, without Congress, “cannot unilaterally dismantle” educational programs like Federal Title I, special education student support programs, college financial aid and the Pell Grant.