President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the US Department of Education, marking a significant step toward fulfilling a long-held conservative goal. The Republican president accused the department of “breathtaking failures” and pledged to return control of education funding to individual states.
“We’re going to shut it down as quickly as possible,” Trump declared at a signing ceremony at the White House, where he was surrounded by children seated at school desks. He argued that despite spending more on education than any other nation, US students continue to rank poorly in global assessments.
While the White House acknowledged that fully closing the agency would require congressional approval, the administration vowed to significantly downsize it. The order directs Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure while ensuring “the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
Legal and Political Challenges to Trump’s Order
Trump’s decision to dismantle the Department of Education is already facing legal pushback. Advocacy groups, unions, and Democratic lawmakers have vowed to challenge the order in court, arguing that such a move would deprive students—especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds—of vital educational support.
Despite Republican Senator Bill Cassidy’s announcement that he will introduce legislation to formally shut down the department, its passage remains unlikely. With the Senate split 53-47 in favor of Republicans, the bill would require at least 60 votes to overcome a filibuster, making its success a longshot.
Even if Congress does not approve the department’s formal closure, Trump’s administration could still undermine its effectiveness by slashing funding and laying off employees. A similar approach was used with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which saw its operations significantly curtailed under Trump’s leadership.
Implications for Federal Education Programs
The Department of Education, established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, plays a crucial role in managing student loans, funding low-income school programs, and overseeing special education services. Critics warn that dismantling the department could disrupt these essential functions, putting millions of students at risk.
Despite misconceptions, the federal government does not directly run schools or dictate curricula, as those responsibilities fall primarily to state and local governments. However, about 13% of primary and secondary school funding comes from federal sources, and Trump’s move could leave states struggling to fill the financial gap.
McMahon, whom Trump appointed to lead the department, has already signaled her support for the agency’s dissolution. She reportedly sent a memo to the department’s 4,400 employees titled “Our Department’s Final Mission,” encouraging staff to see the closure as an opportunity to reform American education.
Conservative Push to Abolish the Department of Education
Calls to eliminate the Department of Education are not new. Since its creation, conservative lawmakers have argued that federal involvement in education leads to inefficiency and overreach. In the 1980s, President Ronald Reagan sought to dismantle the agency, but opposition from Congress prevented its closure.
Trump and his supporters claim the department promotes “indoctrination” by pushing progressive policies on racial, sexual, and political issues. His administration has repeatedly clashed with education officials over curriculum guidelines and student loan forgiveness programs.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who has been involved in federal workforce restructuring through the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has supported efforts to reduce the size of government agencies. Nearly 2,100 education department employees are set to be placed on leave as part of these workforce cuts.
Reactions from Educators and Advocacy Groups
Trump’s decision has sparked outrage from teachers’ unions and education advocacy groups. The American Federation of Teachers condemned the move, warning that it would disproportionately harm students from low-income families and those with disabilities.
“No one likes bureaucracy, and everyone wants more efficiency, but don’t use a ‘war on woke’ to attack children living in poverty and those with disabilities,” the union stated.
Meanwhile, Trump’s supporters argue that decentralizing education will empower states to tailor their systems to local needs. Proponents believe eliminating the federal department will reduce inefficiencies and ensure that education dollars are spent more effectively at the state level.
As legal and political battles over the executive order unfold, the fate of the Department of Education remains uncertain. However, Trump’s move signals a dramatic shift in federal education policy, with potentially far-reaching consequences for students, educators, and policymakers across the country.
