In a move that has reignited fierce debate over the role of the federal government in education, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.
The announcement, made during a special ceremony at the White House, marks a significant step toward fulfilling a long-standing conservative goal—shifting education policy away from federal oversight and returning full control to individual states.
Surrounded by schoolchildren seated at desks in the East Room, Trump held up the signed order, smiling as he declared, “We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible. It’s doing us no good.” He emphasized that education decisions should be made at the state level, rather than dictated by Washington.
The Department of Education, established in 1979, has been a frequent target of Republican leaders who argue that federal involvement in schools leads to bureaucratic inefficiencies and undermines state authority.
Many conservatives have pushed for its elimination, believing that education policy should be tailored to the unique needs of each state rather than controlled by a centralized system.
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While Trump’s executive order alone cannot completely dismantle the department—doing so would require congressional approval—it is expected to significantly reduce its funding and staffing, effectively weakening its influence.
At a White House ceremony, Trump reaffirmed his commitment to shutting down the department, declaring that Education Secretary Linda McMahon—the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment—will “hopefully be our last secretary of education.”
Since taking office, McMahon has already moved to cut the department’s workforce in half, aligning with Trump’s vision of returning education funding to the states and reducing federal oversight. However, the White House has indicated that a scaled-down version of the department may remain to oversee critical functions like student loans and grants for low-income students.
The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to begin the process of closing the department and shifting authority back to state governments.
The decision has sparked intense reactions across the political spectrum. Democrats and education advocates have condemned the move, warning of potentially devastating consequences for schools, particularly those that rely on federal funding for programs like special education and low-income student support.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer blasted the decision as “a tyrannical power grab”, calling it one of “the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken.” Meanwhile, Republican leaders, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, were present at the ceremony and have expressed strong support for the initiative.
The move is part of a broader government restructuring effort spearheaded by Trump in collaboration with tech billionaire Elon Musk. The president has framed it as a necessary step to reduce federal spending and improve educational standards, arguing that U.S. students are falling behind their peers in Europe and China.
However, education has long been a flashpoint in America’s culture wars, with debates over curriculum content, parental rights, and school funding taking center stage.
By targeting the Department of Education, Trump is tapping into a deeply rooted ideological battle—one that will likely intensify in the coming months as the political landscape continues to shift.
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