Trump signs order to dismantle US Department of Education, returns power to states

Trump signs order to begin “eliminating” US Education Department

In a major policy move fulfilling a key campaign promise, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to begin dismantling the US Department of Education, aiming to return control of schools to individual states.

At a White House ceremony in the East Room, surrounded by schoolchildren at desks, Trump declared the moment a turning point in American education policy, stating:

“We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible. It’s doing us no good. We’re going to return education back to the states where it belongs.”

Order directs closure and decentralization of education authority

The executive order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps” to close the Department and shift education authority to the states. While the full closure of the Department of Education—established in 1979—requires Congressional approval, the order enables the administration to reduce its influence by cutting funding and staff.

The move is part of a broader initiative led by Trump and billionaire advisor Elon Musk, whose Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) has spearheaded efforts to downsize federal agencies.

“Hopefully she will be our last Secretary of Education,” Trump said of McMahon, the former WWE CEO, hinting at the department’s eventual dissolution.

Mixed reactions: Praise from Conservatives, Outrage from Democrats and Educators
The action has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates and Democratic leaders. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a “tyrannical power grab” and “one of the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken.”

On the other hand, conservative leaders such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who were present at the event, praised the order. The Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank influential in Trump’s governance plans, called it:

“A beautiful day to dismantle the Department of Education.”

Federal role in education: A key civil rights issue

Although federal funding accounts for just about 13% of total education spending, it plays a vital role in supporting low-income schools and students with special needs, as well as enforcing civil rights protections across the country.

The White House acknowledged that a reduced Department of Education may remain to manage critical services, including student loans and grants for low-income students.

Broader government restructuring effort underway

Trump’s move against the Education Department is part of a larger strategy to overhaul the federal bureaucracy. Under the guidance of Musk and the DOGE team, several federal agencies have already seen drastic cuts. A similar plan to eliminate the US Agency for International Development (USAID) was recently halted by a federal judge, citing potential constitutional violations.

This drastic reshaping of the federal government continues to stir debate over the balance of power between states and Washington, especially in areas like education that directly affect millions of American families.

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