Trump Orders Steps to Dismantle Education Department
Washington, D.C. – US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order initiating the process of dismantling the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign pledge from his 2024 presidential run.
“We will shut it down as quickly as possible,” Trump stated on Thursday after signing the order. “It is not serving us well.”
Congressional Approval Unlikely for Complete Closure
President Trump has long advocated for the elimination of the department, a key objective for some conservatives. However, completely abolishing the agency would necessitate approval from Congress, which is considered improbable.
Legal Challenges Anticipated
The directive is already encountering legal objections from groups seeking to prevent the department’s closure and the significant staff reductions announced the previous week.
Arguments Surrounding Department’s Future
Trump Administration Cites Spending Inefficiency
President Trump contended that “the US invests considerably more in education than any other nation,” yet American students “rank near the bottom globally in academic achievement.”
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The White House indicated that the administration intends to reduce aspects of the department within legal limitations.
Past Initiatives Faced Legal Obstacles
Many initiatives from the Trump administration, including mass firings, federal agency cuts, and spending reduction goals, have previously faced legal challenges. This executive order is also expected to encounter similar hurdles.
Praise for Department Leadership Amidst Uncertainty
During the signing ceremony, Trump commended Linda McMahon, his appointee to lead the department, expressing his hope that she would be the final education secretary. He suggested he would find an alternative role for her within the administration.
Legislative Efforts to Abolish Department Face Senate Hurdles
Following the order, Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana announced plans to introduce legislation aimed at closing the Department of Education.
However, with a narrow 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate, and requiring 60 votes to close a federal department, such legislation faces significant obstacles.
Concerns Over Potential Program Cuts and Funding Reduction
Even if the department avoids formal closure, the administration could drastically reduce its funding and personnel, mirroring actions taken with the US Agency for International Development (USAID), which led to the cessation of numerous programs and humanitarian efforts.
Executive Order Lacks Specifics on Actions and Program Cuts
The executive order’s text does not detail specific actions the administration will undertake or which programs might be eliminated.
It instructs Secretary McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the department and delegate authority over related matters to state and local governments, while “ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
Department of Education: Background and Function
Established in 1979 to Oversee Federal Education Initiatives
Established in 1979, the Department of Education manages funding for public schools, administers student loans, and oversees programs assisting low-income students.
Accusations of Ideological Bias
President Trump has accused the department of promoting specific racial, sexual, and political viewpoints to young people.
Clarifying Misconceptions About Federal Role in Education
A common misunderstanding is that the department controls US schools and dictates curricula. In reality, states and local districts primarily handle these responsibilities.
Federal funds constitute a relatively small portion of primary and secondary school funding, approximately 13%, with the majority originating from state and local sources.
Significant Role in Student Loans and Higher Education Funding
The agency plays a crucial role in managing and overseeing federal student loans utilized by millions of Americans for higher education expenses.
Department Employees Face Uncertainty Amidst Closure Push
Memo Signals “Final Mission” to Department Staff
Shortly after her appointment, Secretary McMahon sent a memo to the department’s 4,400 employees titled “Our Department’s Final Mission.”
“This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students,” she wrote.
“I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete; we will be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future.”
Potential Program Transfers and Department Restructuring
Earlier reports suggested the administration might terminate some department programs and transfer others to different departments, such as the Treasury.
“Woke” Ideology Accusations Fuel Drive to Dismantle Department
President Trump and fellow Republicans have accused the department of promoting a “woke” political ideology and pushing liberal perspectives on gender and race.
Teachers’ Union Condemns Closure Plans
America’s largest teachers’ union recently condemned President Trump’s plans, stating he “doesn’t prioritize opportunity for all children.”
In a statement, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) stated: “No-one favors bureaucracy, and everyone supports greater efficiency, so let us identify methods to achieve that.”
“However, do not employ a ‘war on woke’ to target children living in poverty and children with disabilities to finance vouchers and tax reductions for billionaires.”
Historical Context: Department’s Creation and Past Abolition Efforts
Most US children attend public schools, funded primarily by state and local taxes, with curriculum decisions made at the state and local level. The current cabinet-level department was established by Congress at the end of 1979.
Two years later, former Republican President Ronald Reagan initiated efforts to abolish it, citing cost savings and prioritizing “local needs and preferences.”
Department’s Size and Budgetary Impact
With 4,400 employees, it is the smallest agency in the president’s cabinet and accounts for less than 2% of the total federal budget.
Staff Reductions and Restructuring Already Underway
Workforce Reductions Impact Department Employees
Some department staff have already been affected by administration-led workforce reductions, overseen by the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), with many encouraged to retire, laid off, or placed on paid administrative leave.
Nearly 2,100 agency personnel are scheduled to be placed on leave starting March 21st.
Elon Musk’s Role in Government Efficiency Initiatives
Efforts by Doge to reduce federal spending and significantly restructure, or eliminate, government agencies have been overseen by tech billionaire Elon Musk.