(Rod Lamkey, Jr./AP photo)

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to end its bid to take apart the Department of Education, and restore the 1,300 jobs cut as a result of the move.

The order from U.S. District Judge Myong J. Juon says congressional approval is required to dismantle a government department.

Juon’s ruling came a month after Education Secretary Linda McMahon pledged to President Donald Trump during a cabinet meeting that she was working to put herself out of a job.

“Well, Mr. President, I don’t think I’ve ever worked so hard to try to fire myself,” she said at the time. “But we are certainly making great strides in that.”