| Published April 4, 2025
New York, NY — In what critics are calling a desperate attempt to score political points, New York Attorney General Letitia James blamed former President Donald Trump for the recent closure of a Head Start early education program — claiming it was caused by “layoffs tied to Trump’s economic policies.”
But as the dust settles and details emerge, the narrative pushed by James appears to crumble under scrutiny. What really caused the closure? And why are some accusing the AG of political theater?
The Blame Game
Letitia James, known for her long-standing legal war against Donald Trump, made headlines this week when she referenced a Head Start center that had to shut its doors in upstate New York. Without naming the specific site or offering evidence, James pointed to Trump-era layoffs as the driving factor behind the program’s collapse.
“We’re seeing the effects of Donald Trump’s reckless economic decisions,” James said. “When parents lose their jobs, kids lose opportunities. That’s what’s happening here.”
Her remarks were picked up by several media outlets and quickly spread across social media — bolstered by left-wing commentators echoing her claims.
But fact-checkers and critics were quick to ask: What layoffs? Which jobs? And where’s the proof that Trump had anything to do with this closure?
Reality Check: A Tangled Timeline
Several conservative journalists and watchdog groups, including the folks at Twitchy and others on X (formerly Twitter), pointed out some inconvenient facts:
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The Head Start center in question reportedly began scaling back during the pandemic, when many early childhood programs struggled with remote learning mandates, staffing shortages, and budget shifts at the state and federal level.
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The most recent closures and layoffs affecting the program occurred in late 2024 and early 2025, during the Biden administration’s tenure — not during Trump’s presidency.
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Federal data shows that funding for Head Start has remained consistent or increased since 2021, making it unclear how Trump-era cuts could be blamed for a 2025 shutdown.
In other words: James’ claim doesn’t add up.
Critics Slam “Political Opportunism”
Conservative commentators and GOP officials swiftly denounced James’ remarks as “dishonest” and “opportunistic.”
“Letitia James is doing what she always does — trying to pin every problem in New York on Donald Trump,” said Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY). “She has no real solutions, so she manufactures outrage.”
Online reactions were just as sharp.
“Letitia James heard about a Head Start program closing and couldn’t wait to say, ‘Trump did it,’” one user posted. “No facts, no context — just pure political theater.”
Others noted that this isn’t the first time James has used her office to attack Trump in ways that appear more partisan than prosecutorial.
The Bigger Picture
The closure of any Head Start program is heartbreaking — especially for low-income families relying on early childhood education as a stepping stone to opportunity. But weaponizing those closures for political gain, critics say, doesn’t help the families involved — it only furthers division.
Some education advocates are now calling for greater transparency from the state regarding how federal funds are distributed to these programs, and why some centers are being left behind.
“If the Attorney General wants to help,” said one parent whose child attended a Head Start in the Bronx, “maybe she should stop blaming Trump and start working on funding solutions.”
Conclusion: Truth Still Matters
Letitia James may believe the best defense is a good offense — especially with her ongoing legal campaign against Trump and her rumored political aspirations. But in moments like these, even supporters are asking: Is this about kids, or is it about clout?
With growing skepticism from the public and mounting calls for accountability, James may soon learn that pointing fingers isn’t the same as providing answers — especially when the facts aren’t on your side.
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