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President Donald Trump has instructed newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to work toward closing the U.S. Department of Education, marking a dramatic shift in federal education policy. McMahon, confirmed by the Senate on Monday, has described the department’s closure as its “final mission.” An executive order to begin dismantling the agency could be issued as soon as this week.
“Eliminating bureaucratic bloat and returning education to the states is a priority,” McMahon told department employees. However, fully abolishing the department would likely require congressional approval, making it a challenging process.
Reshaping Federal Education Policy
The Trump administration has already begun reshaping the agency’s work. The newly established Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by advisor Elon Musk, has cut numerous contracts deemed “woke” and unnecessary. The administration has also significantly reduced the role of the Institute of Education Sciences, which gathers and analyzes data on student performance nationwide.
The Department of Education manages over $1.5 trillion in federal student loans and distributes billions in aid to public schools and universities. Its closure would require redistributing these responsibilities to other agencies. The department also oversees critical programs for students with disabilities and low-income families.
Impact on Student Loans and Financial Aid
Abolishing the department would upend the federal student loan system. The Education Department currently manages the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and oversees Pell Grants, which help millions of low-income students afford college. Trump has been critical of President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness programs, which have canceled more than $175 billion in debt for 4.8 million borrowers.
While Trump has condemned loan forgiveness as “a disaster,” his specific plans for student debt remain unclear. Shutting down the department could mean transferring loan management to another agency, potentially the Treasury Department.
Civil Rights and Title IX Changes
The Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights plays a crucial role in enforcing anti-discrimination laws in schools and universities. Under Trump’s directive, the office has prioritized cases involving antisemitism and launched investigations into schools that allow transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.
Trump has pledged to exclude transgender students from Title IX protections, reversing a Biden administration policy that recognized gender identity under the law. He also vowed to take action against diversity and equity initiatives in education, arguing they amount to “unlawful discrimination.”
School Funding and Accreditation Overhaul
Federal education funds account for roughly 14% of public school budgets. Trump’s plan would shift oversight of these funds to the Department of Health and Human Services before phasing them out entirely. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025, a conservative policy blueprint, suggests converting federal education dollars into unrestricted state grants.
Additionally, Trump has proposed revamping the accreditation process for colleges and universities, vowing to eliminate “radical left” accreditors and replace them with bodies that uphold “American values.” This could reshape how higher education institutions receive federal funding and maintain their academic credibility.
What’s Next?
Although Trump has the authority to reduce the department’s influence through executive action, fully dissolving it would require legislative approval. With strong Democratic opposition and mixed reactions from Republican lawmakers, the process could take years.
The move has sparked significant debate among educators, policymakers, and advocacy groups. Supporters argue that decentralizing education would empower states, while critics warn it could create disparities and disrupt essential services for students.
As the administration moves forward, schools, colleges, and millions of students could face uncertainty over how federal education policies will be restructured—or eliminated entirely.
