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Trump Moves to Abolish Department of Education with Executive Order
WASHINGTON, D.C.: President Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order aimed at initiating the closure of the Department of Education, a long-sought objective for many conservative figures who advocate for state control over educational systems, as opposed to federal oversight.
During a lively event in the East Room of the White House, where schoolchildren were seated at desks, Trump appeared cheerful as he showcased the order following his signature.
"This order begins the process of permanently discontinuing the federal Department of Education," Trump stated. "We’re determined to close it down swiftly because it hasn’t been serving our needs. Education should be handed back to the states where it truly belongs."
While the Department of Education was established in 1979 and cannot be eliminated without Congress’s approval, Trump’s directive is expected to significantly reduce its funding and staff, effectively crippling its operations.
This move stands as one of the most significant steps in Trump’s comprehensive government transformation, executed with the assistance of technology entrepreneur Elon Musk and his newly formed Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The decision has drawn sharp rebuke from Democrats and educators alike. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized the action as a "tyrannical power grab," labeling it "one of the most damaging and harmful measures that Donald Trump has ever enacted."
In attendance at the signing were prominent Republican figures, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Trump defended the directive as essential for cost savings and aims to elevate educational standards across the United States, which he claims are lagging behind those in Europe and China.
Education has long been a contentious issue in America’s cultural disputes, with conservatives pushing for a transfer of control from the federal level.
A “Beautiful Day” for Change
The executive order mandates that Secretary of Education Linda McMahon must "take all necessary actions to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and restore educational authority to the states," as outlined in a draft obtained by AFP.
On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to dissolve the Department and transfer its responsibilities to individual states, akin to the recent shifts seen concerning abortion rights. His selection of McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, to head the department was viewed as a signal that the department’s end was near.
However, the White House indicated that a diminished version of the department would likely remain to oversee "critical functions," such as student loans and certain grants for low-income individuals.
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt informed reporters prior to the signing that "the Department of Education will be considerably smaller than it is today."
The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank that has influenced many of Trump’s policy recommendations through its "Project 2025," praised the initiative. "It’s a wonderful day to dismantle the Department of Education," they posted on social media platform X.
Historically, the federal government’s role in education has been limited, with only about 13% of funding for primary and secondary schools coming from federal sources, while states and local governments provide the majority of financial support. Nonetheless, federal funding is crucial for many schools serving low-income students and those with special needs and has been vital in upholding fundamental civil rights for students.
Trump and Musk have already initiated the dismantling of various government agencies, significantly weakening them through budget cuts and workforce reductions.
A federal judge recently halted a similar effort to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, asserting that the attempt likely contravened the U.S. Constitution.
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