Trump Moves to Shut Down U.S. Education Department With Executive Order/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Thursday to begin shutting down the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a longstanding conservative goal. While Congress must approve a full closure, Trump has already cut the department’s workforce in half and slashed major programs. Critics warn this move will harm students, especially those in low-income schools, while Trump and his supporters argue that education decisions belong to states, not Washington.
Education Department Shutdown: Quick Look
- Trump to sign an executive order Thursday at 4 p.m. ET directing the closure of the U.S. Education Department.
- The move fulfills a campaign promise to return education control to states.
- The agency’s workforce has already been cut by 50%, with major reductions in civil rights oversight and federal education research.
- Congress created the department in 1979, meaning a full shutdown requires legislative approval.
- Federal education funds support key programs like Title I for low-income schools and Pell Grants for college students.
- Advocates warn closing the department will disproportionately impact disadvantaged students.
- Trump’s allies remain divided, with some Republicans opposing previous attempts to eliminate the agency.
Trump Moves to Shut Down U.S. Education Department With Executive Order
Trump’s Executive Order: What It Means
According to a White House fact sheet, the order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps” to shut down the department while ensuring that key programs remain operational during the transition.
“We will return education control to the states while ensuring effective and uninterrupted delivery of services,” the White House said.
The order accelerates an ongoing effort to dismantle the department, which has already seen drastic budget cuts under Trump’s administration.
Which Programs Are at Risk?
While the Department of Education only accounts for about 14% of public school funding, it oversees critical programs that benefit low-income and disadvantaged students.
Key Programs Impacted
- Title I Funding – Supports low-income schools.
- Pell Grants – Provides financial aid for low-income college students.
- McKinney-Vento Act – Helps homeless students access education.
- School Meal Programs – Assists low-income families.
- Student Loan Management – The department oversees $1.6 trillion in federal student loans.
- Civil Rights Oversight – Investigates discrimination in schools.
Why Is Trump Closing the Department?
Trump has long criticized the Department of Education, calling it a bureaucratic waste and claiming it is run by radicals who interfere with state authority.
His 2024 campaign platform promised to “return education to the states, where it belongs.”
Trump’s Key Arguments for Closure
- Eliminates federal overreach in education.
- Saves taxpayer money by cutting bureaucracy.
- Gives parents more control over school curriculums.
- Ends “radical leftist” influence in education policy.
However, Trump has also used the agency to enforce his own policies, including threats to cut funding from schools that allow transgender athletes in women’s sports or that promote diversity and inclusion programs.
Republicans Divided on Education Department Closure
While conservatives have pushed for years to shut down the Department of Education, some Republicans have resisted past attempts.
- In 2023, a House vote to eliminate the department failed after 60 Republicans joined Democrats in opposition.
- Even during Trump’s first term, Congress rejected Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ budget-slashing proposals.
“This isn’t fixing education. It’s making sure millions of children never get a fair shot,” said the National Parents Union in a statement.
Congress Must Approve Full Shutdown
The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979, meaning its complete closure requires congressional approval.
“Even some of Trump’s allies question whether he has the power to fully dismantle the department without Congress,” noted one political analyst.
However, Trump is already cutting the agency’s workforce and reducing its budget, effectively weakening its influence even if it remains open.
What Happens Next?
- Thursday, March 20 – Trump signs executive order directing the closure.
- Immediate impact – The department will begin transitioning programs to states and other agencies.
- Congressional battle – Lawmakers must decide whether to approve or block a full shutdown.
- School impact – States and school districts will face funding uncertainty as federal oversight diminishes.
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