The Trump administration is intensifying efforts to hold schools accountable for not protecting students from sexually abusive teachers, zeroing in on California, where lenient union protections and the practice known as “passing the trash” have long enabled the problem.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon is leading the effort, targeting districts that ignore sexual assault allegations or quietly transfer accused teachers to new schools. Officials have warned that three schools in two California districts, including Tulare City Unified and Wilsona School District, could lose nearly $50 million in federal Title I funding if they fail to address violations, according to the New York Post.
This action follows years of documented failures. A ProPublica/KQED investigation revealed how California has allowed dozens of educators to retain their credentials despite districts finding them guilty of sexual misconduct.
Between 2019 and 2023, the state’s school districts paid an estimated $2–3 billion to victims of sexual abuse by school employees, according to data cited by Attorney General Rob Bonta.
LAUSD in particular has come under heavy criticism. Superintendent Alberto Carvalho resigned following an FBI raid on his home and office in February 2026 related to district contracts. The district is also facing a $22 million kickback scandal involving a former IT manager and a Texas tech company. These repeated leadership and financial scandals reinforce concerns that student safety and taxpayer dollars are often treated as secondary priorities.
One of the 67 cases reviewed illustrates outright failure. Jason Agan, a math teacher fired by the Fairfield-Suisun Unified School District in 2019, faced more than 20 complaints of inappropriate touching and sexual harassment from female students at Angelo Rodriguez High School.
These included hugs and shoulder massages that left students uncomfortable.
An independent panel deemed him “unfit to teach,” yet the state declined to revoke his license. He was transferred three times to other schools, where he faced similar accusations.
Data shows some districts, including LAUSD, reported zero incidents despite clear evidence. This has only intensified demands for strict enforcement and real consequences.
Union contracts in places like LAUSD have triggered strong federal pushback because they contain near-predatory provisions that keep teachers credibly accused of serious misconduct, such as sexual harassment of students, inappropriate physical contact, or failure to report suspected child abuse, in the classroom or on paid administrative leave during prolonged investigations.
The Department of Education is now sending formal reminder letters to school districts nationwide and launching civil rights investigations in cases where federal reporting appears incomplete or inadequate.
California stands out as a major target due to the enormous scale of its public school system, the largest in the nation, serving more than 5.8 million students across hundreds of districts, and its well documented track record of failing to adequately address educator misconduct.
“Our schools must protect America’s children,” Secretary McMahon said. “Parents should never have to worry that their kids’ school is shielding or employing sexual predators.”
These enforcement actions show that the Trump administration is committed to protecting our children. Under Secretary McMahon’s leadership, federal officials are drawing a clear line: union protections and bureaucratic excuses will no longer come before the safety of students.
Districts that continue to ignore misconduct or shield predators will be held accountable and lose their federal funding.
Enough is enough. The practice of shielding predators and “passing the trash” has gone on far too long. California and every other state must now place the safety and well-being of students ahead of adult institutional interests. It is telling and deeply troubling that federal intervention has become necessary to uphold this fundamental responsibility.
