Trump Signs Order to Begin Dismantling Department of Education

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday to start dismantling the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise and a long-standing goal for American conservatives. The Republican president will issue the order during a White House ceremony, marking one of the most drastic steps in his ongoing efforts to overhaul the government, with the assistance of tech billionaire Elon Musk. Trump argues that the move is necessary to save money and improve education standards in the U.S., claiming they lag behind those in Europe and China. Education has been a battleground in America’s culture wars for decades, and Republicans have long sought to remove federal control over it.

Trump’s Bold Step and White House Reactions

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told Fox News ahead of the signing that Trump is “saving America’s children with this action.” She went on to say, “The Department of Education has never educated a child. All it has ever done is stolen money from taxpayers.” The executive order directs 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.” This aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to dismantle the department and transfer its responsibilities to individual states, much like what happened with abortion rights. The appointment of McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, to lead the department was widely seen as a sign that the agency's days were numbered. Several Republican governors are expected to attend the signing ceremony.

Challenges in Shutting Down the Department of Education

The Department of Education, created in 1979, cannot be entirely closed without Congress’s approval, and Republicans currently lack the votes to push such a measure through. However, Trump and Musk have already taken action to dismantle several other federal agencies by slashing their budgets and reducing staff. This aggressive restructuring has faced criticism from educators and Democrats. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, condemned the move, saying, “Education is our country’s future. Mr. President, we will see you in court,” in a post on X. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith also criticized the action, writing, “You can’t shut down the Department of Education—and you know it.”

Republican Support and Right-Wing Reactions

Despite the backlash, the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank, praised the signing. In a post on X, they called it “a beautiful day to dismantle the Department of Education.” Efforts to reduce the department’s size had already been underway, with McMahon issuing a memo shortly after her swearing-in on March 3, stating that the agency would begin its “final mission.” The following week, she moved to reduce the department’s staff by half.

Federal Funding and Education’s Future

Traditionally, the federal government has played a limited role in U.S. education, with only about 13% of funding for primary and secondary schools coming from federal sources. The remaining funds are provided by state and local governments. Despite this, federal funding remains crucial for low-income schools and students with special needs. The federal government has also played an essential role in enforcing civil rights protections for students. Reports suggest that certain programs, like grants for university students and funding for low-income schools, will remain protected from any cuts.

Musk’s Government Efficiency Push Faces Legal Challenges

Trump’s ongoing government overhaul is being led by Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which has moved swiftly to restructure various agencies. This has sparked legal challenges, with critics arguing that the actions may exceed executive authority. A similar move to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was blocked by a federal judge earlier this week, who ruled that it likely violated the Constitution.