President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order aimed at shutting down the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise to reduce federal oversight of education. However, while the order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the closure process, Congress will ultimately need to approve the move. The administration has framed this decision as a means to return education authority to the states while ensuring continuity of services for students. Media outlets, including NBC News and USA Today, confirmed the details of this executive action.
McMahon Leads Effort to Dismantle Education Department Amid Strong Opposition and Challenges
McMahon, who was appointed to oversee the agency’s dissolution, has already taken significant steps in that direction. Last month, she reduced the department’s workforce by half, a move seen as a precursor to its complete shutdown. Trump has been vocal about eliminating the department, emphasizing that it is unnecessary at the federal level.
Although Congress must approve the closure, the Trump administration may restrict its functions in the meantime. McMahon acknowledged that the full shutdown would require congressional cooperation, but she remains committed to the mandate given to her by the president.
Trump Moves to Shut Down Education Department, Shifting Authority to StatesThe executive order has faced strong opposition from educators and advocacy groups. Becky Pringle, President of the National Education Association, warned that the decision would harm students by increasing class sizes, cutting job training programs, and making higher education less accessible.
She also criticized the administration for undermining student civil rights protections and special education services. Pringle accused Trump and Elon Musk, who heads the Department of Government Efficiency, of prioritizing tax benefits for billionaires over the future of 50 million students nationwide.
Trump’s Education Plan: Shifting Control to States and Restructuring Federal Oversight
A key aspect of the plan is to transfer the Department of Education’s responsibilities to state governments and other federal agencies. Trump has stated that states should have full control over their education systems, a stance he reiterated during a campaign event in Michigan.
Additionally, the administration is considering moving student loan management under the Treasury Department, Commerce Department, or Small Business Administration. The Education Department, which previously had a $268 billion budget, primarily funded K-12 education through programs like Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
The planned closure of the Education Department reflects broader policy shifts under the Trump administration. Schools have already been pressured to halt diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, some of which have faced legal challenges. The department recently launched investigations into over 50 universities accused of race-based admission practices.
Originally established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the department has played a significant role in federal education funding and policy. Its dissolution could mark a major shift in how education is managed in the U.S., potentially reshaping the structure of public schooling for years to come.