Trump Makes Move To Take Apart the Department of Education

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise that could fundamentally reshape America’s educational landscape.

Key Takeaways

Trump’s executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education, but full elimination requires congressional approval.
The plan aims to give education authority to states and local communities.
Certain functions such as student loans and Title I funding will be preserved and eventually be moved to other departments.
The department currently manages a $268 billion budget (4% of federal spending), including $120.8 billion in student financial aid and significant funding for low-income communities.
Critics of the department argue it has failed its mission of promoting educational excellence, while supporters fear the loss of federal protections and funding.
Congressional approval is needed to completely shut down the program.

Trump Takes Step to Eliminate Education Department

President Donald Trump made a decisive move in his education reform agenda by signing an executive order initiating the dismantling of the Department of Education. During the signing ceremony, Trump declared, “Today, we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making. In a few moments, I will sign an executive order to begin eliminating the Federal Department of Education.” The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate the closure process and transition education authority back to states and local communities.

The executive order represents the first step in fulfilling Trump’s campaign pledge to abolish the department created in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. However, the complete elimination of the department requires congressional approval with 60 Senate votes, setting up what could be a lengthy legislative battle. The plan aims to give parents greater autonomy over their children’s education while ensuring current services and programs continue without interruption during the transition period.

President Trump is improving education outcomes by empowering parents, states, and communities. 🇺🇸

“We’re going to be returning education very simply BACK TO THE STATES where it belongs.” – @POTUS pic.twitter.com/PpBx0uNpNe

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 20, 2025

Shifting Education Power Back to States

The executive order specifically criticizes federal control over education, stating it has failed students, teachers, and families. According to the order, the Department of Education doesn’t directly educate students but consumes significant resources. The Trump administration argues that giving education control to state and local authorities will lead to better outcomes for American students and families while removing what they view as ideological influences from federal education policy.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that the department’s size would be significantly reduced, noting “The Department of Education will be much smaller than it is today.” She further explained, “This president is finally taking much-needed action to return education to where it belongs — and that’s to educators closest to students in their classrooms.” The approach aligns with conservative principles of limited federal government and local control over education.

Critical Functions and Public Reaction

Despite the move to dismantle the department, the administration acknowledges certain critical functions will need to be maintained. The Department of Education currently manages a $268 billion annual budget representing approximately 4% of federal spending. Its Office of Federal Student Aid distributes over $120.8 billion in grants and loans annually, while the department provides $18 billion for low-income communities and $15 billion for students with disabilities. A White House official reportedly clarified that some functions such as loans, Pell Grants, and Title I funding would continue under a smaller Education Department before eventually being transferred to other departments.

Reactions to the move have been divided. According to The Daily Caller, supporters like Dr. Keri D. Ingraham called it “a historic day in our nation that takes us one step closer to the goal of education freedom for all families nationwide.” Critics, however, fear the loss of federal oversight that protects vulnerable students and worry about the impact on national education standards and funding equity between states.