Department of Education on the Chopping Block

Trump Set to Sign Executive Order Dissolving Department of Education, Sparking Debate Over Education’s Future

Washington, D.C. – March 7, 2025
President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order as early as today, directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, according to multiple sources familiar with the plan. The move, which fulfills a long-standing campaign promise, aims to shift control of education back to the states, but it has ignited fierce controversy over its feasibility and potential consequences for millions of students.

The draft executive order, reported by outlets like The Wall Street Journal and NPR, instructs McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the department “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” However, the document acknowledges a critical limitation: only Congress can fully abolish the agency, which was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. Despite this, Trump appears determined to scale back the department’s operations through executive action, potentially slashing staff and reallocating programs, while urging lawmakers to pass legislation to complete the dissolution.

Trump has repeatedly criticized the Department of Education as an example of federal overreach, accusing it of “indoctrinating” students with what he calls “inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material.” Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday, he reiterated his stance: “I want to bring the schools back to the states. Let the states run the schools. You’ll see something—it’s gonna blow your mind, it’ll be run so well.” He also suggested that student loan responsibilities could shift to agencies like the Treasury or Small Business Administration if the department is dissolved.

The Department of Education, with an annual budget of approximately $79 billion and a workforce of about 4,400, oversees key programs including the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, the $18.4 billion Title I program for low-income schools, and $15.5 billion in funding for students with disabilities. Critics warn that dismantling the agency could disrupt these services, disproportionately harming vulnerable populations. Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, condemned the plan, stating, “If it became a reality, Trump’s power grab would steal resources for our most vulnerable students, explode class sizes, and gut student civil rights protections.”

Supporters of the move, including many conservatives, argue that the federal government has overstepped its role in education, which they believe should be a state and local responsibility. The idea aligns with initiatives like Project 2025, a policy blueprint from the Heritage Foundation that Trump has distanced himself from publicly but mirrors in some actions. Posts on X reflect this sentiment, with some users cheering the potential end of “bureaucratic bloat,” though others express alarm over the loss of federal support for education.

Legal and political hurdles loom large. Abolishing the department requires congressional approval, which would need 60 votes in the Senate—unlikely given the current Republican majority of 53 seats and staunch Democratic opposition. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned Thursday that “it’s no secret they’re aiming to abolish the Department of Education,” signaling a fierce fight ahead. Even within Trump’s administration, there’s uncertainty; White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called reports of an imminent signing “fake news” on X, though Trump himself dismissed any hesitation, saying, “No, no, no, no,” when asked if he was reconsidering.

The timing of the order comes amid internal upheaval at the department. Dozens of employees have been placed on paid administrative leave or offered buyouts to resign, part of a broader push to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across federal agencies. Meanwhile, a team from Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” (DOGE) has reportedly begun probing the agency’s operations, raising concerns about data security and further staff cuts.

Education advocates and unions, including the American Federation of Teachers led by Randi Weingarten, are vowing resistance. Weingarten cited a recent poll showing 63% of Americans oppose dismantling the department, arguing, “Trying to abolish it sends a message that the president doesn’t care about opportunity for all kids.” Legal challenges are also brewing, with groups like the National Student Legal Defense Network exploring ways to block what they call a “recipe for chaos.”

As Trump prepares to sign the order, the nation braces for a contentious battle over the future of education. While the president’s authority may not extend to fully shuttering the department, his actions could still reshape its role dramatically—testing the limits of executive power and leaving millions of students, educators, and families in limbo.