Trump’s Executive Order Aims To Dismantle Department of Education

President Trump signed an executive order aiming to shut down the Department of Education, fulfilling a campaign promise while igniting debates about federal involvement in America’s classrooms.

Quick Takes

President Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, calling it “a historic action 45 years in the making.”
Education Secretary Linda McMahon will oversee the department’s reduction while maintaining certain services like student loans and Pell grants through other departments.
The executive order aims to return education authority to states and local communities while empowering parents with more control over their children’s education.
Full elimination of the department would require congressional approval with 60 Senate votes, as some functions will eventually transfer to other departments.
The department’s staff has already been reduced by half since Trump took office, from approximately 4,133 to 2,183 employees.

Historic Executive Order Targets Federal Education Control

In a decisive move to reshape America’s education system, President Donald Trump signed an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.” The signing ceremony, attended by Republican governors and education officials, marks the beginning of a process to reduce federal involvement in education. Trump declared during the ceremony, “Today, we take a very historic action that was 45 years in the making. In a few moments, I will sign an executive order to begin eliminating the Federal Department of Education.”

The Department of Education, established in 1979, currently operates with a significantly reduced workforce of approximately 2,183 employees, down from 4,133 when Trump took office. Despite managing a $268 billion budget last year (about 4% of federal outlays), the department has faced persistent criticism from conservatives who argue it represents federal overreach. The executive order aims to return education authority to states and local communities.

BREAKING: President Trump signs an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education. https://t.co/CINWrDZF5P

— CBS News (@CBSNews) March 20, 2025

Trump’s Criticism

Trump cited poor academic achievement as a primary motivation for dismantling the department. “We’re not doing well with the world of education in this country, and we haven’t for a long time,” Trump stated during the signing ceremony. The White House said that American reading and math scores are reportedly near historic lows, despite the department’s stated mission to promote educational excellence and equal access.

Proponents of the executive order argue the department has veered from its original purpose and become overly influenced by special interests. The order specifically emphasizes compliance with federal law regarding the allocation of federal funds while reducing bureaucratic overhead.

Challenges and Transition Plan

While the executive order initiates the dismantling process, complete elimination requires congressional approval with 60 votes in the Senate. The department currently manages substantial responsibilities, including the Office of Federal Student Aid which distributes over $120.8 billion in grants and loans annually. A White House official reportedly said functions like student loans, Pell grants, and Title I funding would still be available temporarily through a downsized department and then eventually moved to different departments, though specific timelines remain unclear.

The move has already faced legal challenges, with nearly two dozen Democratic attorneys general filing a lawsuit against the administration’s efforts to reduce the department’s workforce. Critics argue the department plays a vital role in protecting educational equity through its Office on Civil Rights, which enforces anti-discrimination laws in educational institutions.