Trump is following through on a major campaign promise by signing an executive order to begin shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. The move, expected to be announced Thursday at a White House event attended by several Republican governors, is set to spark legal battles and debates over the role of federal oversight in public schools, according to USA Today.
According to a White House summary, the order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps” to close the department and return education control to individual states. However, federal funding for programs like student loans, special education, and low-income school assistance will continue as McMahon works on a transition plan.
What Happens Next?
While Trump’s signature marks the start of the process, the Education Department won’t be dismantled overnight. Since Congress originally established the agency in 1979, fully eliminating it would require legislative approval—an uphill battle given the likelihood of Democratic opposition and even hesitation from some moderate Republicans.
The executive order argues that despite spending over $1 trillion in federal education funding over the past 46 years, student performance has not improved. It points to declining math and reading scores as evidence that the department has failed. Trump and other Republicans claim that too much federal oversight burdens schools with regulations rather than helping students.
Controversy Over Impact on Schools
Critics of the order warn that dissolving the Education Department could create chaos, particularly for students relying on federal programs. Some fear that without a central agency, oversight of school funding and civil rights protections could become inconsistent across states.
The order explicitly bans any remaining department funds from being used to advance diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) initiatives or gender ideology. Trump and his allies have repeatedly criticized these programs, arguing they distract from traditional education priorities.
Trump has also overseen a dramatic reduction in the department’s workforce. More than 1,300 employees were recently laid off as part of a larger effort to shrink the federal government. The agency’s total workforce has dropped from over 4,000 to around 2,100 since Trump’s second term began.
A Broader Pattern of Executive Power
This move is the latest in Trump’s broader push to consolidate executive authority. His administration has already attempted to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and reduce the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s operations—efforts that have faced legal challenges.
Trump has long argued that states should have full control over education policy, often praising states like Iowa and Indiana for their handling of school systems. However, public school curricula are already determined by state and local governments, with the federal government mainly playing a role in funding and accountability for schools that receive federal aid.
Legal Battles Ahead
The executive order is expected to face immediate legal challenges, similar to Trump’s recent attempt to dismantle USAID, which was blocked by a federal judge in Maryland. Opponents argue that unilaterally shutting down a federal department exceeds presidential authority without congressional approval.
With Congress unlikely to pass legislation to officially eliminate the Department of Education, Trump’s administration may attempt to weaken the agency from within by slashing funding, reducing staff, and transferring responsibilities to other government offices.
What This Means for Students and Schools
For now, schools and students will continue receiving federal funding for key programs, but long-term changes remain uncertain. While Trump insists that shifting power to the states will improve education, critics worry about the lack of a clear plan for managing school funding and accountability at the national level.
The political and legal fights over the fate of the Education Department are just beginning, and the outcome will have major implications for the future of education policy in the U.S.
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