Trump Moves to Dismantle Department of Education in Sweeping Government Overhaul

The White House has announced a major step to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This move fulfills a core campaign promise from President Donald Trump. The plan aims to shrink the federal government’s role in education.

According to Reuters, the administration is pushing for more state-level control over schooling. The department announced new partnerships with other federal agencies to transfer its functions.

Administration Circumvents Congress with Strategic Partnerships

The Department of Education cannot be formally closed by the President alone. It is a cabinet-level department established by Congress in 1979. Abolishing it would require Congressional approval, a significant political hurdle.

To advance the goal, the administration is using a different strategy. The department will partner with the Departments of Labor, State, Interior, and Health and Human Services. These partnerships will allow for the sharing or transfer of current education functions.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the administration’s direction. She stated the move is about returning education control to the states. The education department claims this will streamline federal activities and reduce administrative burdens.

Political and Practical Implications of the Shift

The move has ignited immediate political opposition. Democrat Senator Elizabeth Warren has vowed to block any attempt to close the department. She emphasized that only Congress holds the authority to take such action.

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in American education. It administers federal student loans and enforces civil rights laws in schools. It also tracks broad student achievement data across the nation.

Transferring these functions could significantly alter how education policy is managed. The long-term effects on students, grantees, and state education systems remain unclear. This action represents one of the most substantial shifts in federal education policy in decades.

The push to dismantle the Department of Education signals a profound transformation of the federal government’s role in American life. This effort to transfer power to the states will likely face intense legal and political challenges in the coming months.

Thought you’d like to know

Can President Trump actually close the Department of Education?

No, the President cannot unilaterally close a cabinet-level department. According to legal experts, abolishing the Department of Education would require an act of Congress due to its establishment by law in 1979.

What functions does the Department of Education perform?

The department administers federal student financial aid, including loans. It also collects data on schools and enforces federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination in education.

How is the administration proceeding without Congress?

The strategy involves forming partnerships with other federal departments. This allows for the transfer or sharing of the Education Department’s current functions to other agencies, effectively downsizing its role.

What has been the political reaction to this plan?

Democratic leaders have strongly opposed the move. Senator Elizabeth Warner stated she will not let the department be closed on her watch, highlighting the expected congressional battle.

What is the main goal of dismantling the department?

The stated goal is to return control over education to individual states. The administration believes this will reduce federal bureaucracy and allow for more localized decision-making.