Executive Order in the Works
The Trump administration is actively drafting an executive order aimed at initiating the process of dismantling the Department of Education, sources familiar with the matter revealed. This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s campaign pledge to curb federal oversight in education.
The plan consists of two key components. The executive order would instruct the secretary of Education to devise a strategy to downsize the department through executive measures. Additionally, Trump plans to urge Congress to pass legislation that would formally dissolve the department, acknowledging that congressional approval is necessary for a complete shutdown.
Trump underscored his intentions on Tuesday, stating that he expects his nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, to ultimately eliminate her own position. “I told Linda, ‘Linda, I hope you do a great job in putting yourself out of a job.’ I want her to put herself out of a job – Education Department,” he remarked.
McMahon, who previously led the Small Business Administration under Trump, has yet to undergo a confirmation hearing for her new role. Historically, proposals to abolish the Department of Education have struggled to gain traction in Congress. A similar effort during Trump’s first term sought to merge the Education and Labor Departments into one agency but failed to progress despite Republican control of both legislative chambers.
Political and Administrative Challenges
The push to dismantle the Department of Education comes as the agency faces scrutiny from the Department of Government Efficiency, which is being led by Elon Musk. the Trump administration is working on reducing the federal workforce by targeting employees linked to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives. On Friday, dozens of employees within the Education Department were placed on paid administrative leave as part of this broader effort.
Trump has long criticized the department as an example of federal overreach, linking it to cultural debates and advocating for greater state-level control over education. “We will drain the government education swamp and stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s youth with all sorts of things that you don’t want to have our youth hearing,” he stated on the campaign trail.
The former president has also championed policies that expand parental choice in education, advocating for the redirection of public funds toward private schooling. On Tuesday, he criticized the performance and costs associated with U.S. education, stating, “We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, and we’re ranked at the bottom of the list.” He reiterated his position that states should have full control over their school systems.
Potential Impact and Congressional Resistance
Even if Trump’s efforts to eliminate the Department of Education prove successful, many of its programs and funding initiatives could be reassigned to other federal agencies. Before the department’s establishment in 1979, programs supporting low-income students and children with disabilities were housed in various other governmental bodies.
Previous attempts to slash the department’s budget have encountered resistance from Congress. Historically, when presidents have proposed cuts, lawmakers have often countered by increasing funding instead. According to an analysis by the Brookings Institution, Congress has approved higher-than-requested funding levels for the department about 71% of the time. Even during Trump’s first term, when Trump administration sought to reduce the department’s budget, the Republican-controlled Congress ultimately chose to increase its funding instead.
As discussions surrounding the future of the Education Department continue, the administration’s push for major structural changes is expected to face significant political hurdles in both the legislative and public arenas.
