BY COMFORT OGBONNA
Former President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, according to a White House official. This move aligns with his longstanding campaign promise to dismantle the department, a frequent target of conservative criticism.
The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, emphasized that the order will instruct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of shutting down the agency and transferring education authority back to the states. However, the department’s full elimination would require an act of Congress, which originally established it in 1979.
Trump has frequently criticized the Education Department, calling it wasteful and ideologically biased. His administration has already taken steps to scale it back, significantly reducing its workforce and slashing funding for key offices such as the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which tracks national academic progress.
A White House fact sheet on the executive order states that while the department would be dismantled, efforts would be made to ensure the continued operation of essential services and programs that American students rely on.
Trump’s allies argue that federal oversight of education is unnecessary and that states should have greater control. Conservative parents’ groups have increasingly pushed for local authority over schools, opposing federal regulations on issues like curriculum content and gender policies.
Critics warn that eliminating the department could have severe consequences, especially for vulnerable students. The agency currently oversees billions of dollars in education funding, including federal student loans and support programs for low-income schools.
“This isn’t fixing education. It’s making sure millions of children never get a fair shot,” the National Parents Union said in a statement, vowing to fight the plan.
The department’s work extends beyond financial management—it also enforces civil rights protections in schools and distributes federal aid for programs like school meals and homeless student support. While federal funding accounts for only about 14% of public school budgets, it plays a crucial role in supplementing resources for disadvantaged students.
Higher education institutions are even more dependent on federal money, receiving substantial funding through research grants and student financial aid. Pell Grants, which assist low-income college students, are among the programs that could be affected.
Even some Republicans have expressed doubts about Trump’s ability to shut down the department without congressional approval. In 2023, a House proposal to close the agency was rejected, with 60 Republicans joining Democrats in voting against it.
During Trump’s first term, former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos attempted to restructure the agency’s budget and give states more control over funding, but her proposals faced resistance, including from members of her own party.
Despite his push to eliminate the department, Trump has also used its power to advance his political agenda. His administration has leveraged the Office for Civil Rights to investigate schools over policies on transgender athletes, pro-Palestinian activism, and diversity initiatives.
As the debate unfolds, Trump’s executive order will likely reignite discussions about the federal government’s role in education and whether such sweeping changes are politically feasible.
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