Trump Signs Executive Order to Reduce the Department of Education: Implications and Reactions

Trump Signs Executive Order to Reduce the Department of Education: Implications and Reactions

In a significant move on Thursday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at scaling back the Department of Education. This decision is expected to ignite lawsuits challenging the directive and may necessitate Congressional approval.

Trump has long voiced his intentions to dismantle the Department of Education, a promise echoed since his campaign. In September 2024, he stated his desire to diminish federal oversight in education to “stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s youth.”

“Everybody knows it’s right, and we have to get our children educated,” Trump remarked during his announcement. “We’re not doing well with the world of education in this country, and we haven’t for a long time.”

A fact sheet released by the White House following the executive order highlighted the administration’s intentions to “turn over education to families instead of bureaucracies.” The directive mandates Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary measures to facilitate the Department of Education’s closure while ensuring that essential services and programs continue uninterrupted.

Clarifying the Order’s Impact

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified to reporters that the executive order would not entirely dismantle the agency but would instead “greatly minimize” its functions. She assured that Pell Grants and student loans, which provide crucial financial assistance to undergraduate students, would still be managed by the department.

“It’s not going to be shut down,” Leavitt emphasized. “Pell Grants and student loans will still be run out of the department in Washington, D.C., but the great responsibility of educating our nation’s students will return to the states.”

However, the White House has yet to respond to inquiries seeking further clarification on the roles and responsibilities of the remaining Department of Education.

Public Sentiment and Educational Concerns

As education continues to be a contentious issue, a Gallup Poll released in February indicated a significant decline in public satisfaction with education in the United States. As of January 2025, only 24% of Americans expressed satisfaction with the quality of education, down from 37% in January 2017.

This growing discontent is mirrored in ongoing critiques of U.S. educational performance, highlighted by reports from the National Assessment of Educational Progress. The 2024 report revealed stagnant math scores for eighth-graders compared to 2022, and reading scores had dropped by two points at both fourth and eighth-grade levels.

The Department of Education, established in 1979, was intended to enhance the coordination of federal education programs and support local school systems. Its functions encompass overseeing student loans, financial aid programs, and implementing nondiscrimination policies.

The Legislative Path Forward

To completely abolish the Department of Education, the executive branch will require Congressional approval, as outlined in Article II of the U.S. Constitution. The measure would need 60 votes to pass in the Senate, where Republicans currently hold 53 seats.

Yet, there are alternative legislative approaches being considered. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican from Kentucky, suggested using the budget reconciliation process, which would allow the measure to pass with just 51 votes. He has been actively promoting legislative measures aimed at reducing the department’s influence and has filed a proposal to eliminate the agency by December 2026.

Support and Opposition in Congress

Some Senate members have already expressed support for such legislative action. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, stated his agreement with Trump, citing the Department of Education’s failure to fulfill its mission. Cassidy vowed to contribute to legislative efforts to facilitate the department’s downsizing as soon as possible.

Despite this support, many critics fear the consequences of radical changes to the federal education landscape. National Education Association President Becky Pringle cautioned that dismantling the agency could increase college costs for families and adversely affect students with disabilities.

Pringle warned, “If successful, Trump’s continued actions will hurt all students by sending class sizes soaring, cutting job training programs, and making higher education more expensive and out of reach for middle-class families.”

The American Federation of Teachers has similarly urged Congress to resist any attempts to disband the department. They cited a recent NPR/PBS News/Marist poll showing that over 60% of Americans strongly oppose eliminating the agency.

Legal Challenges Ahead

In response to Trump’s directive, the American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten announced plans to challenge the executive order, setting the stage for potential legal battles. “See you in court,” she asserted, signaling her organization’s commitment to defending the current structure of the Department of Education.

Furthermore, a coalition of attorneys general from 21 states has already initiated legal proceedings in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Their complaint argues that efforts to dismantle the department represent an unlawful violation of the separation of powers and undermine the Executive’s obligation to faithfully execute the law.

The Road Ahead for Education Policy

As the situation evolves, the implications of Trump’s executive order will likely reshape the landscape of education policy in the United States. Stakeholders on all sides will be closely monitoring the developments, debates, and legal challenges that emerge as a response to this bold administrative directive. How this will ultimately unfold remains to be seen, but one thing is clear; education policy in America is entering a critical phase.