The U.S. President, Donald Trump, signed an executive order on Thursday dismantling the U.S. Department of Education to reduce federal involvement in education.
While Trump’s order does not immediately eliminate the department, which would require congressional approval, it directs new Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps toward transferring education authority back to the states.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that while critical functions such as student loans and Pell Grants would remain under federal oversight, the department’s overall size and influence would be greatly reduced.
“This executive order is a major step in returning power to the states and ensuring that education decisions are made at the local level, not by Washington bureaucrats,” Leavitt said.
The executive order reflects growing dissatisfaction with federal education policies, particularly in response to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and debates over curriculum content.
Critics of the department argue that federal oversight has led to unnecessary spending and political influence over local schools.
Trump suggested transferring certain responsibilities, such as federal student loan oversight, to other agencies like the Small Business Administration. However, officials have struggled to find a viable alternative for managing the department’s $1.8tr student debt portfolio, with nearly 40 per cent of loans currently in default or overdue.
As part of the department’s restructuring, nearly half of its employees have already been notified of potential layoffs. Additionally, several diversity and civil rights programmes have been halted, particularly those focused on protections for transgender students and initiatives promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
An internal email sent to recently terminated employees instructed them to schedule a time to collect their belongings and return government-issued devices. The employees were given 30 minutes to pack their personal items and were required to bring their own boxes and tape.
A current department employee, speaking anonymously to the BBC, described the move as “a slap in the face” to those who have worked to support students and schools.
“This administration clearly doesn’t understand the essential services we provide,” the employee said.
The executive order is expected to face legal challenges from teachers’ unions and education advocates, who argue that dismantling the department will have devastating consequences for students and families.
“Donald Trump is attacking public education to benefit billionaires at the expense of students, teachers, and families,” National Education Association President Becky Pringle said in a statement.
“This reckless move will increase class sizes, cut job training programs, make higher education less accessible, and roll back special education services for students with disabilities.”
Trump has long vowed to reduce the federal role in education, arguing that local control is more effective.
“I told Linda McMahon, ‘I want you to do such a great job that you put yourself out of a job,’” he said during a campaign speech earlier this year.
With opposition mounting, Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Education Department could be delayed or blocked by Congress and the courts.
