Tribal leaders and Native education advocates say the Education Department violated statutory consultation requirements by transferring Indian education programs without prior tribal engagement. Standing Rock Sioux Chairman Steve Sitting Bear and the American Indian Higher Education Consortium warned the transfers will complicate funding flows for schools and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Sen. Elizabeth Warren asked the department inspector general to open a formal investigation, citing potential harms to students, borrowers and families and concerns about layoffs and opaque decision‑making at ED. The twin legal and oversight moves raise the prospect of litigation and congressional oversight hearings that could delay implementation of the transfers and force clarifications about responsibility for federal TCU funding.