Trump signs order to tear down US Education Department
President Donald Trump has taken a decisive step toward eliminating the US Department of Education, signing an executive order that advances a long-standing conservative agenda. The move, which aims to shift authority over education to states and local communities, has ignited fierce political and public debate.
The executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the department “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” While key responsibilities like Title I funding for low-income schools and federal student aid are expected to continue, the scope and execution of the department’s closure remain uncertain.
A radical overhaul of federal education policy
The executive order directs the Education Secretary to take “all necessary steps” to facilitate the closure of the department and return authority over education to state and local governments. Nonetheless, shattering the department would require congressional approval which is an uphill battle, provided Democratic opposition and potential dissent from moderate Republicans.
Trump has frequently denounced the Education Department as ureaucratic and ideologically driven, justified his decision by pointing to declining student performance and what he calls federal overreach into local schools. Trump stated at the signing ceremony. “States know best how to educate their students. We’re getting Washington out of the way” as reported by The Associated Press.
What happens to federal education programs?
Despite the sweeping nature of the order, the White House has indicated that some pivotal functions will continue to exist. Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell Grants, and aid for students with disabilities will be preserved. However, the fate of federal student loans hangs in the balance. While the White House initially assured that the department will continue managing the $1.6 trillion loan portfolio, the executive order suggests that this responsibility should be transferred elsewhere, as the Education Department “doesn’t have the staff to oversee its financial operations.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasised that her role will involve trimming off bureaucratic red tape and redistributing key functions to other agencies. She referred to the Department of Justice as a potential home for civil rights enforcement, raising concerns among education advocates about the destiny of protections for marginalised students.
Supporters cheer ‘End of Federal Overreach’
Conservatives and libertarians who have long pushed for the abolition of the Education Department hailed the move as a necessary correction to decades of government overreach. “For decades, it has funneled billions of taxpayer dollars into a failing system — one that prioritizes leftist indoctrination over academic excellence, all while student achievement stagnates and America falls further behind,” said Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation reported by the Associated Press.
Many Republican lawmakers expressed support for legislation to finalize the department’s closure. GOP-led state governments have increasingly pushed back against federal education mandates, arguing that decisions on curriculum, funding, and policy should rest with local authorities.
Opponents warn of harm to vulnerable students
Critics, however, argue that the elimination of the Education Department would have devastating consequences for millions of students, particularly those in underserved communities. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer slammed the move as a “tyrannical power grab” and “one of the most destructive steps Donald Trump has ever taken” as reported by the Associated Press.
A legal and political battle ahead
The executive order is expected to face significant legal challenges. Advocacy groups like Democracy Forward have already signaled plans to challenge the order in court. Meanwhile, Democrats and even some moderate Republicans have questioned whether Trump has the authority to dismantle the agency without congressional approval.
The political ramifications of the move could also be significant. While Trump’s base is likely to embrace the decision, polls suggest that many Americans—including a sizable number of Republicans—support maintaining a federal role in education. A 2023 House vote on an amendment to abolish the department saw 60 Republicans break ranks and join Democrats in opposition, highlighting potential divisions within the GOP.
What comes next?
With Congress divided and legal battles looming, the future of the Education Department remains uncertain. While Trump has taken the first step toward dismantling the agency, whether he can fully achieve that goal is far from guaranteed. In the meantime, the debate over federal involvement in education is set to dominate political discourse, with profound implications for students, teachers, and schools across the country.
As Trump pushes forward with his plan, both supporters and opponents are preparing for a long and fierce battle over the future of American education.
