Trump Signs Order Aimed at Eliminating Education Dept. ‘Once and for All’
President Donald Trump is pushing to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, a move that requires congressional approval and sets the stage for a major political and legal battle over the federal government’s role in education.
Trump issued an executive order aimed at shutting down the department, citing declining test scores as the primary justification. However, since the department was established by an act of Congress, it can only be eliminated with congressional approval, reflecting the constitutional principle of separation of powers.
Despite this, the Trump administration has already taken steps to weaken the department’s influence, cutting its workforce by half and eliminating $600 million in grants, particularly affecting the Office for Civil Rights, which ensures equal educational opportunities for all students.
The executive order presents conflicting instructions for the education secretary: on one hand, it directs her to work toward dismantling the department, while on the other, she must still comply with federal law. Trump assured that critical functions such as managing federal student aid, supporting special education, and funding schools in low-income areas would continue, with some responsibilities reassigned to other agencies.
The decision has faced widespread criticism from education leaders and student advocacy groups. Ted Mitchell, president of the American Council on Education, called it “political theater rather than serious policy,” emphasizing that eliminating a federal agency requires congressional approval.
Legally, opponents of Trump’s order are expected to challenge it based on the constitutional separation of powers. Some legal experts are also considering using a 2024 Supreme Court ruling that limited executive authority in statutory interpretation, shifting more power to Congress and the judiciary.
While some conservatives support closing the department, congressional Republicans face a dilemma between aligning with Trump and responding to their constituents. Polls indicate that nearly two-thirds of voters oppose shutting down the department.
Although local governments primarily control school policies, the federal department has played a crucial role in setting academic standards, ensuring regulatory compliance, and enforcing civil rights laws.
Trump argues that his order is meant to return control of education to individual states, while Democrats and education advocates warn that dismantling the department could harm vulnerable students, including those with disabilities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Despite opposition from many lawmakers, Trump continues to push for legislation to eliminate the department, insisting that “the current system has failed American students and only expanded bureaucracy.”
