Education Department workers targeted in layoffs are returning to tackle civil rights backlog

By COLLIN BINKLEY WASHINGTON (AP) — The Trump administration is bringing back dozens of Education Department staffers who were slated to be laid off, saying their help is needed to tackle a mounting backlog of discrimination complaints from students and families. Related Articles What to know about the Justice Department’s Jeffrey Epstein files What to know as lawmakers disclose vivid new details of US boat strikes CDC votes to roll back newborn Hep B vax recommendation, Healey says Massachusetts won’t comply Federal judge appears skeptical of Trump’s ongoing command of California National Guard troops FACT FOCUS: Trump said weaker gas mileage rules will mean cheaper cars. Experts say don’t bet on it The staffers had been on administrative leave while the department faced lawsuits challenging layoffs in the agency’s Office for Civil Rights, which investigates possible discrimination in the nation’s schools and colleges. But in a Friday letter, department officials ordered the workers back to duty starting Dec. 15 to help clear civil rights cases. A department spokesperson confirmed the move, saying the government still hoped to lay off the staffers to shrink the size of the department. “The Department will continue to appeal the persistent and unceasing litigation disputes concerning the Reductions in Force, but in the meantime, it will utilize all employees currently being compensated by American taxpayers,” Julie Hartman said in a statement. In the letter to employees, obtained by The Associated Press, officials said the department needs “all OCR staff to prioritize OCR’s existing complaint caseload.”…

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