Trump Moves to Dismantle Department of Education in Controversial Power Shift
US President Donald Trump is set to sign an order on Thursday aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a promise he made during his campaign and a long-cherished goal for many American conservatives. The Republican leader will unveil this order at a White House ceremony, marking one of the most significant moves in his aggressive plan to reshape the government, with the backing of tech mogul Elon Musk.
Trump argues that this action is essential for cutting costs and enhancing educational standards in the U.S., claiming that the country is falling behind Europe and China in this crucial area.
Education has been at the center of America’s culture wars for decades, and Republicans have consistently pushed to take control away from the federal government.
“He is saving America’s children with this action,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News ahead of the signing at 4:00 pm (2000 GMT).
“The Department of Education has never educated a child. All it has ever done is stolen money from the taxpayers.”
On Thursday, his order instructed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States,” as revealed in a draft obtained by AFP.
During his campaign, Trump vowed to eliminate the department and shift its responsibilities back to the states, similar to what has occurred with abortion rights.
His choice of McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, to head the department was widely interpreted as a clear indication that the department’s days were numbered.
Several Republican governors are anticipated to be present at the signing ceremony.
– ‘Final mission’ –
According to the law, the Education Department, which was established in 1979, can’t be closed down without Congress giving the green light, and right now, Republicans just don’t have the votes to make that happen.
However, Trump and his billionaire advisor Elon Musk have already taken steps to dismantle several other agencies, leaving them in a weakened state by cutting programs and laying off staff.
This move has drawn sharp criticism from educators and Democrats alike.
“Education is our country’s future. Mr President, we will see you in court,” Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, said on X.
Tina Smith, the Democratic senator for Minnesota, said in a post aimed at Trump: “You can’t shut down the Department of Education — and you know it.”
The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank that has had several of its “Project 2025” recommendations embraced by Trump, expressed its approval of the signing.
“It’s a beautiful day to dismantle the Department of Education,” it said on X.
There were already efforts in motion to significantly reduce the size of the department.
Shortly after her swearing-in on March 3, McMahon sent out a memo announcing that the agency was about to embark on its “final mission.” Just a week later, she took steps to cut the department’s staff by half.
Historically, the federal government has played a limited role in education in the United States, contributing only about 13 percent of the funding for primary and secondary schools, with the majority coming from state and local sources.
However, federal funding is crucial for low-income schools and students with special needs. The federal government has also been vital in upholding important civil rights protections for students.
According to reports from US media, several key programs will be preserved, including those that provide grants to university students and funding for low-income schools nationwide.
Trump’s aggressive overhaul of the government is being led by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), whose swift actions have faced legal challenges for potentially overstepping executive authority.
On Monday, a federal judge halted a similar attempt to dismantle the US Agency for International Development, stating that the effort likely violated the Constitution.
Trump Moves to Dismantle Department of Education in Controversial Power Shift
