President Trump's Move to Abolish the Department of Education: A Step Towards Educational Reform
President Trump is poised to sign an executive order that could reshape the American education system by abolishing the Department of Education as early as Thursday.
In a move that underscores President Trump’s commitment to educational reform, he is expected to sign an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This bold decision, anticipated to be enacted as soon as Thursday, reflects the President’s ongoing efforts to streamline federal agencies and return control of education to the states. The draft of the order, which has been labeled as ‘pre-decisional,’ criticizes the federal control over education, stating, ‘The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support—has failed our children, our teachers, and our families.’
Newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a former co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, has been vocal about her support for Trump’s vision. In an email to department staff, McMahon expressed her intention to ‘send education back to the states,’ aligning with the President’s goal to eliminate what he perceives as bureaucratic bloat. This initiative has been a cornerstone of Trump’s agenda since his transition into office, highlighting his promise to ‘drain the government education swamp’ and halt the misuse of taxpayer dollars.
Trump’s critique of the Department of Education is backed by alarming statistics. The U.S. currently ranks 20th out of 41 nations in education, according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Moreover, American students’ test scores have plummeted since the closure of classrooms during the COVID-19 pandemic, with eighth-graders’ reading proficiency reaching its lowest level in 32 years. These figures have fueled Republican arguments for a major overhaul of the education system, with McMahon at the helm to lead the charge.
While McMahon has indicated that Congressional action would be necessary for the complete dissolution of the department, she is actively working to secure buy-in from Republican lawmakers. She has assured that key programs such as Title I funding, Pell Grants, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness will remain intact. Additionally, McMahon is prepared to enforce executive actions that address issues like transgender athletes in sports, antisemitism on campuses, and the elimination of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
President Trump’s anticipated executive order marks a pivotal moment in American education policy, aiming to return decision-making power to the states and reduce federal oversight. This move, while controversial, aligns with Trump’s broader vision of reducing government size and increasing local control, promising a significant shift in how education is managed and funded in the United States.