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By Staff Writer with Agencies
WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a move that fulfills a long-standing campaign promise and aligns with conservative goals, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. The order, which accuses the agency of “breathtaking failures,” aims to return control of education funding and policy to individual states.
Surrounded by children seated at school desks in the White House, Trump criticized the department, stating, “The U.S. spends more money on education by far than any other country, yet our students rank near the bottom of the list.” He vowed to shut down the agency “as quickly as possible,” though the White House acknowledged that fully closing the department would require congressional approval.
The executive order directs Linda McMahon, the current Secretary of Education, to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the department and transfer its authority to state and local governments. It also mandates that McMahon ensure “the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely.” However, the order does not specify which programs might be cut or how the transition will be managed.
The move has already sparked legal challenges and fierce opposition from educators, unions, and lawmakers. The American Federation of Teachers, the nation’s largest teachers’ union, condemned the plan, accusing Trump of using a “war on woke” to attack vulnerable children. “No one likes bureaucracy, and everyone’s in favor of more efficiency, so let’s find ways to accomplish that,” the union said in a statement. “But don’t use this to attack children living in poverty and children with disabilities.”
Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the Department of Education administers federal student loans, oversees programs for low-income students, and enforces civil rights laws in schools. Despite its relatively small footprint—it accounts for less than 2% of the federal budget—the agency plays a critical role in supporting millions of students and families.
Critics of the department argue that it represents federal overreach and inefficiency. Conservatives have long sought to abolish the agency, with President Ronald Reagan leading calls to dismantle it just two years after its creation. Trump has echoed these sentiments, accusing the department of indoctrinating students with “racial, sexual, and political material.”
However, the push to close the department faces significant hurdles. Republicans hold a slim 53-47 majority in the Senate, and abolishing a federal agency would require 60 votes, making it unlikely to pass. Even if the department remains intact, the Trump administration could significantly reduce its funding and staff, as it has done with other agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
Earlier this week, McMahon sent a memo to the department’s 4,400 employees titled “Our Department’s Final Mission,” signaling the administration’s intent to wind down its operations. “This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students,” she wrote. “I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete, we will be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future.”
The executive order is the latest in a series of efforts by the Trump administration to shrink the federal government. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who oversees the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), has led sweeping workforce cuts across multiple agencies. Nearly 2,100 employees at the Department of Education are set to be placed on leave starting Friday.
While the future of the department remains uncertain, the executive order has reignited debates over the role of the federal government in education. Supporters of the move argue that states and local districts are better equipped to manage schools, while opponents warn that dismantling the department could harm low-income students, children with disabilities, and families relying on federal aid for higher education.
As the legal and political battles unfold, one thing is clear: the fight over the Department of Education is far from over.
Staff Writers at Open Chronicle produce in-depth, field-informed reporting on defense, diplomacy, cultural transformation, and global affairs. Known for clarity, accuracy, and analytical depth, they connect breaking developments to broader historical and strategic contexts. In addition to frontline journalism, Staff Writers also contribute to the Open Chronicle Encyclopedia, crafting authoritative entries that preserve critical knowledge and enrich public understanding.