New Delhi, July 15 -- The Supreme Court allowed President Trump to restart mass layoffs at the U.S. Education Department, impacting nearly 1,400 employees. In a 6-3 decision, the conservative majority lifted a lower court's order that had blocked the firings and required worker reinstatements.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon called the ruling a "significant win," enabling her to advance Trump's executive order to close the department "to the maximum extent permitted by law".

The layoffs, affecting one-third of the agency's workforce, are part of Trump's broader push to shrink federal government roles and return education oversight to states.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor led a fiery dissent, joined by liberal justices Elena Kagan and Ketan...