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President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order Thursday directing the shutdown of the U.S. Department of Education, according to a White House official speaking on the condition of anonymity. The order is part of Trump’s broader push to return education authority to the states, a long-standing goal among conservatives.
What the Executive Order Says
A White House fact sheet states the order will direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the department while ensuring “the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.”
Challenges to Closing the Department
Despite Trump’s push, finalizing the dismantling of the department is likely impossible without congressional approval. The Education Department was created in 1979 through an act of Congress, meaning its elimination would require new legislation—a difficult hurdle, especially given past resistance from both parties.
In 2023, a proposal to shut down the department was voted down in the Republican-controlled House, with 60 GOP lawmakers joining Democrats to oppose it. Even some of Trump’s allies have raised questions about his legal authority to close the agency via executive order.
What Happens to Federal Education Funding?
The Education Department oversees more than $1.6 trillion in federal student loans and distributes billions of dollars annually to schools. While federal funding makes up only about 14% of public school budgets, it plays a crucial role in supporting:
- Low-income schools (Title I funding)
- School meals
- Special education programs
- Homeless student support (McKinney-Vento program)
Colleges and universities are more dependent on federal aid, through student loans, research grants, and financial aid programs that help millions afford tuition.
Why Is Trump Targeting the Education Department?
Trump has long criticized the department as wasteful and ideologically driven, calling it a “hotbed of radicals, zealots, and Marxists” who interfere in local education decisions. The effort to dismantle the agency aligns with a broader conservative movement to shift power over education from Washington to states and parents.
His administration has already been slashing the department’s workforce, cutting programs, and reducing funding for key offices, including:
- The Office for Civil Rights
- The Institute of Education Sciences (which collects national education data)
Political and Legal Hurdles
Despite conservative support for reducing the department’s role, the political appetite for fully shutting it down remains uncertain.
During Trump’s first term, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos proposed converting all K-12 federal funding into state-controlled block grants, but Congress rejected the plan, with some Republicans joining Democrats in opposition.
With Trump’s executive order likely to face legal challenges, the fate of the Education Department remains uncertain. However, the move signals his continued push to reshape the federal government’s role in education, a battle that is expected to continue into the 2025 election cycle.
