Trump Allies Seek to Cut Education Department in Wake of USAID Scrutiny

Trump Allies Seek to Cut Education Department in Wake of USAID Scrutiny

Supporters of former President Donald Trump are intensifying their calls to reform federal agencies, particularly focusing on the Department of Education. Their push comes amid recent efforts to scrutinize the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and they now urge the administration to consider additional cuts to agencies they view as ineffective.

Republican Lawmakers Unite Against Education Bureaucracy

During recent discussions, Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., expressed his support for significant reductions in the Department of Education’s role, asserting, “I trust the Tennessee General Assembly to craft curriculums for Tennessee students more than I do the California or the D.C. legislative bodies.” His sentiments reflect a broader discontent among conservatives regarding federal oversight of education.

Other Republican lawmakers echoed Ogles’ position. In conversations with Fox News Digital, they identified several federal offices they want to audit or cut drastically, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Most Targeted Agency: The Department of Education

Among these discussions, the Department of Education frequently emerged as a primary target for reform. As rumors swirl about a potential executive order from Trump aimed at dismantling the Cabinet agency, lawmakers believe this could be a pivotal moment for education policy in the United States.

Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., suggested a plan: “In order to get buy-in, you could eliminate the Department of Education, but you would take at least a portion of the money and give it back to the states in the form of block grants or something like that.” His comments indicate a desire for more localized control over educational funding.

Fresh Perspectives from New Lawmakers

Freshman Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, articulated similar views, stating, “I think we need to get rid of the Department of Education. We need to get rid of the ATF. I’ve co-sponsored bills to do that for both of those.” He pointed out that the Education Department has spent taxpayer dollars on initiatives he sees as promoting leftist agendas.

Gill remarked, “The American people are sick of funding left-wing activism with their taxpayer dollars,” highlighting a growing frustration among conservatives regarding education spending.

Historical Context and Conservative Perspectives

Criticism of the Department of Education is not new. Established in 1980 under President Jimmy Carter, the agency has been a focal point for conservative detractors who argue that it should either be eliminated or reformed.

Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., weighed in, saying, “The Education Department should’ve been gone or reined in a long time ago.” He expressed hope that officials like Elon Musk, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), would emphasize accountability in federal education spending.

Additionally, a bill introduced by Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., aims to eliminate the Department of Education and has quickly garnered significant support with 30 GOP co-signers.

Potential Backing for Executive Actions

As discussions intensify, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., noted a favorable sentiment toward cutting federal education oversight. “The teachers’ unions will viciously fight, of course, any idea of disbanding the federal Department of Education. But I think the principle is one whose time has come,” Johnson stated.

He pointed out that the U.S. is lagging behind other countries in educational performance, arguing that current systems are failing students. Johnson concluded with a call for more local control, asserting, “You’re going to see a lot of support among House and I think Senate Republicans for the general idea of pushing the decisions down, back down to the local level. I think that’s something that would serve us all well.”

Charting the Future of Education Policy

As the debate over the future of the Department of Education unfolds, Trump’s allies continue to press for a significant shift in educational governance. With growing momentum behind their agenda, the coming months will be pivotal in determining the fate of federal education oversight.

The outcomes of these discussions may reshape the landscape of education in America, reflecting a broader national conversation about local control, funding priorities, and the role of government in shaping educational outcomes.