President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday that will officially begin the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The highly anticipated move, first reported by USA Today, marks a significant step in the Trump administration’s broader push to decentralize education and return greater control to individual states.
The signing will take place in the East Room of the White House, after several weeks of delay, according to a White House official.
Trump's decision to dismantle the Department of Education aligns with his long-standing argument that shifting education responsibility to state governments would improve the U.S. school system's global standing. The President has consistently argued that states have the ability to better manage and deliver education services without the need for a federal bureaucracy.
"We're going to move the Department of Education, we're going to move education into the states, so that the states, instead of bureaucrats working in Washington, can run education," Trump said in a recent interview.
"We think when you move it back to Iowa and Indiana and all the states that run so well ... 30, maybe almost 40, those will be as good as Denmark, those will be as good as Norway."
Trump’s push to overhaul the Department of Education has been part of a broader strategy to reshape the federal government during the early stages of his second term. His administration has already made sweeping changes to various federal agencies, including mass layoffs, buyouts, and reorganizations.
This new executive order represents one of the most dramatic steps taken by Trump’s administration in its bid to streamline government functions and return power to state-level governance.
The White House has confirmed that Education Secretary Linda McMahon will be tasked with executing the president's directive. According to a summary of the executive order obtained by USA Today, McMahon will be required to "undertake all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States."
This includes a comprehensive reorganization of the Department’s functions, with the goal of eliminating its federal oversight role and giving state governments more control over educational policy and funding.
The Department of Education, which was established in 1980, has long been a focal point of debate among conservative and liberal policymakers. Trump and many of his allies have criticized the department for its bureaucratic nature and its role in imposing federal standards on local education systems.
Critics of the department argue that education decisions are best made at the state and local levels, where there is greater awareness of the unique needs of individual communities.
Last week, the Department of Education announced that it was firing nearly half of its workforce in preparation for the shutdown. This move is seen as part of the broader restructuring effort by the Trump administration to reduce the size and scope of the federal government.
While the layoffs will significantly impact the department’s ability to function, they are also seen as a clear indication of the administration’s intention to end federal involvement in education.
Trump’s education overhaul is not without its critics, however. Opponents argue that dismantling the Department of Education could have detrimental effects on the quality of education in the U.S., particularly for vulnerable students.
The federal government currently plays a vital role in ensuring that educational opportunities are available to all students, regardless of their background or geographic location. Critics also fear that removing federal oversight will exacerbate inequalities in the education system, particularly for disadvantaged communities.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration has remained steadfast in its belief that shifting control of education to the states will lead to better outcomes. The president’s supporters argue that state governments are better equipped to address the specific needs of their populations, and that local control will encourage innovation and improve educational quality.
In addition to his efforts to dismantle the Department of Education, Trump has also made moves to limit the influence of federal education policies on state and local systems. Last year, the Trump administration introduced a new initiative aimed at expanding school choice, including increased funding for charter schools and vouchers for private education.
Trump has also been a vocal critic of the growing influence of what he terms "anti-American" ideologies, such as Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, in U.S. schools. Trump has argued that these ideologies are divisive and harmful to students, particularly in terms of promoting a biased view of American history and values.
The White House has framed Trump’s latest executive order as part of a broader effort to empower parents, states, and local communities to take control of education. Spokesperson Harrison Fields said in a statement obtained by NewsNation, “Over the past four years, Democrats have allowed millions of illegal minors into the country, straining school resources and diverting focus from American students. Coupled with the rise of anti-American CRT and DEI indoctrination, this is harming our most vulnerable.
President Trump’s executive order to expand educational opportunities will empower parents, states, and communities to take control and improve outcomes for all students.”
The Trump administration's stance on education has also been shaped by its broader political agenda, particularly in its efforts to challenge the influence of liberal policies in American institutions. By dismantling the Department of Education, Trump aims to reduce the federal government’s role in shaping public policy, aligning with his broader vision of a smaller, more limited government.
However, the decision to dismantle the Department of Education is not without controversy. The department has played a central role in enforcing civil rights laws and ensuring equal access to education for all students, including those with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Critics argue that removing this federal oversight could lead to a patchwork of educational policies across states, potentially leaving vulnerable students without the protections they need.
The upcoming signing of the executive order signals that the Trump administration remains committed to implementing its vision for education reform, despite the challenges and opposition it may face. The decision to dismantle the Department of Education is just one aspect of a larger agenda to reshape the federal government and reduce its role in various aspects of American life.
As Trump continues his second term, the implications of this executive order will likely unfold over the coming months, with states, educators, and lawmakers closely monitoring the impact of the changes.
