President Donald Trump has signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. The move is seen as an attempt to bypass congressional approval to close a federal department, aligning with Trump’s long-standing criticism of the agency.
Speaking at the signing ceremony in the White House, Trump criticized the department’s effectiveness, stating, “We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible.” He reiterated his campaign promise to return control over education to state governments, saying, “We are going to send education back to the states.”
President Trump Signs Executive Order to Dismantle Department of Education pic.twitter.com/sFLAgaskte
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 20, 2025The executive order has sparked immediate backlash from Democrats and education advocates. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries condemned the action, warning it would harm millions of low-income children and exacerbate issues in public schools. Jeffries highlighted risks such as larger class sizes, loss of special education funding, and rising college tuition costs.
Progressive members of Congress have called the order unconstitutional, arguing that Trump lacks the authority to abolish the department without congressional approval. Critics view this as part of a broader effort to defund and destabilize the department to advance the administration’s political agenda.
A Shift in US Education Policy
Since the 1980s, the Republican goal of dismantling the Department of Education has gained traction among pro-Trump grassroots activists who are critical of federal education standards and inclusive policies.
Donald Trump has officially signed an executive order aimed to dismantle the Department of Education. pic.twitter.com/vTtKXIVCEX
— Pop Base (@PopBase) March 20, 2025Trump’s broader education agenda includes expanding school choice, promoting “patriotic education,” and cutting funding from schools accused of promoting “radical indoctrination.” The department’s dismantling aligns with Project 2025, a conservative policy manifesto that envisions the department as a statistics-gathering agency providing information to states.
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However, critics warn that the move could harm vulnerable students and disrupt federal programs supporting low-income schools and students with disabilities.
While the executive order does not directly affect the department’s largest programs, such as Title I funding for low-income schools and the federal student loan program, its implications for education funding and policy remain unclear. The Trump administration has already reduced the department’s workforce by nearly half and cancelled several programs.
