Trump Orders Plan to Eliminate the Education Department
March 20, 2025 President Donald Trump has issued an executive order directing officials to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, aiming to shift control over education policy back to state and local governments. The move aligns with long-standing conservative goals of reducing federal oversight in education.
The plan seeks to phase out the department’s operations, transferring key responsibilities such as student loans and funding for students with disabilities to other federal agencies or directly to the states. However, the full elimination of the department would require congressional approval, a hurdle that could face significant opposition.
Supporters argue that the move would cut bureaucracy and return decision-making power to local authorities, allowing for more tailored educational policies. Critics, however, warn that dismantling the department could disrupt federal funding and oversight programs that support millions of students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The decision has already sparked debate, with teachers’ unions and civil rights groups voicing concerns about the impact on public education. Meanwhile, some Republican lawmakers and education reform advocates have praised the decision as a necessary step to reduce federal overreach.
As the process unfolds, the future of federal education programs and funding remains uncertain, with legal and political challenges likely to shape the outcome of the administration’s efforts.
