Court rules against DeVos in for-profit fraud case

WASHINGTON — A federal court has ruled that it was “arbitrary and capricious” for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to delay an Obama-era rule meant to protect students swindled by for-profit colleges. The decision is a significant blow to the Trump administration’s attempt to ease regulations for the industry.

A judge in the nation’s capital ruled on Wednesday in favor of Democratic attorneys general from 19 states and the District of Columbia and former students. They had sued DeVos over her decision last year to postpone the defense to repayment rules finalized under President Barack Obama.

The judge said DeVos’ rationale for freezing the regulation contained a “fundamental and unexplained inconsistency.” He ordered a court hearing on Friday to decide what action to take.