In his order, U.S. District Judge Myong Joun said President Donald Trump’s March 20 executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of shutting down the agency is illegal, and it would require an act of Congress to shut down the department.

The Education Department said Thursday it is opening a civil rights investigation into Fairfax County Public Schools in Virginia over the admissions policy at an elite, selective high school.

The announcement of McMahon's investigation came the day after Virginia's attorney general found Thomas Jefferson High School guilty of discriminating against Asian students.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, testifying before a House subcommittee on Wednesday, defended a 15.3% leaner budget from last year as part of the department's "final mission."

At a congressional hearing, Education Secretary Linda McMahon assured lawmakers that, though the size of the office is being reduced, discrimination cases are still being investigated

U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Wednesday announced her first three proposed priorities for the Department of Education's discretionary grants, signaling a significant shift in the agency's focus.

McMahon appeared to be referencing National Assessment of Educational Progress proficiency scores, which do not indicate grade-level performance.