President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a move he has long advocated for. While the order acknowledges that shutting down the department entirely requires Congress’s approval, it directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps toward making it smaller.
During a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump explained the significance of the action. “Today, we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making,” he said. “I will sign an executive order to begin eliminating the federal Department of Education.” He was joined by several schoolchildren sitting at desks as he signed the order.
Trump reassured the public that key programs, such as Pell Grants, Title I funding for low-income students, and services for students with disabilities, will remain in place. “The department’s useful functions … will be preserved, fully preserved,” he said. These programs will be transferred to other agencies. However, he added that the administration would work to shut down the Department of Education as quickly as possible, apart from these essential services.
The ceremony was attended by Republican lawmakers and governors, including Rep. Virginia Foxx (N.C.), Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, all of whom support the move.
The White House later clarified that, while the department will be smaller, it will still handle necessary functions like managing student loans and Pell Grants. Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated, “The great responsibility of educating our nation’s students will return to the states.”
Democrats quickly condemned the executive order. Sen. Tina Smith (Minn.) called it “more bulls‑‑‑,” saying the effort was part of a larger strategy to wear them down. “I will fight your illegal behavior until the cows come home,” she said, referring to the order.
Before the executive order was signed, the Department of Education had already begun reducing its size. Earlier this month, McMahon announced the firing of over 1,300 employees, following earlier layoffs and buyouts. The department, once with over 4,000 employees, now has fewer than 2,000.
McMahon acknowledged that the goal was to eventually close the department. “We know we’ll have to work with Congress to get that accomplished,” she said after the layoffs.
Though some Republicans have proposed bills to wind down the department, these measures have little chance of passing the Senate due to a lack of the necessary votes.
The Trump administration insists that any changes will not affect critical education programs. The Department of Education assured that student services, including special education, will continue. “We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly,” the department stated.
However, the move is expected to face legal challenges. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten responded, “See you in court.”
The executive order follows months of preparation. McMahon, who has long supported the idea of eliminating the department, had previously suggested moving some of its programs to other agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services.
In his remarks, Trump emphasized his belief that states should have more control over education. “We’re ranked very badly,” he said. “And what I want to do is let the states run schools.”
Opponents of the order warn that dismantling the Department of Education could harm students, particularly those from vulnerable communities. Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, said, “The real victims will be our most vulnerable students,” predicting that the move could lead to larger class sizes, reduced job training, higher college costs, and fewer special education services.
The future of public education remains uncertain as Trump’s administration pushes forward with its plan to reduce the Department of Education’s power.
