California’s public schools receive nearly $8 billion annually from the U.S. Education Department.
The Trump administration is considering cutting federal education funds to California, according to people familiar with the administration’s thinking. The discussion comes as Gov. Gavin Newsom and President Donald Trump feud over the president’s deployment of the National Guard to LA to stop immigration protests.
A Trump administration employee, who was not permitted to speak publicly about the administration’s plans, told POLITICO the Education Department may stop the disbursement of “formula funds,” which are awards based on a predetermined formula created by Congress. The administration has not yet reached a decision, according to a separate person familiar with the discussions. The timing for a potential decision is also not finalized.
“That is one of the tools and the opportunities that we have with California,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said of the potential to pull the state’s funds on Tuesday at an event hosted by Bloomberg News. “And I think it’s right that we make them aware that that is a risk that they run.”
