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Trump Administration Preparing Executive Order to Abolish the Department of Education
The Trump administration is working on an executive order intended to reduce and ultimately eradicate the Department of Education, although it will require Congressional approval.
The Trump administration has started working on an executive order aimed at launching the process to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
Sources close to the plan indicate that the draft order would instruct the Secretary of Education to develop a strategy for reducing the department through executive measures.
Moreover, the president plans to seek congressional legislation to officially disband the department, as its closure necessitates legislative approval.
President Trump has indicated his wish for his Secretary of Education nominee, Linda McMahon, to "put herself out of a job" by limiting the department's functions.
McMahon, who previously led the Small Business Administration, has not yet undergone her confirmation hearing for the position.
The push to abolish or consolidate the Education Department has been a persistent issue, although previous efforts have not garnered enough support in Congress.
During Trump’s first term, his administration proposed merging the Education and Labor Departments into one, a plan that did not progress despite the Republican majority in both congressional chambers.
In addition to this initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency, under Elon Musk's leadership, is also targeting the Education Department as part of a larger effort to reform the federal workforce.
The Trump administration has already placed numerous employees from the Education Department on paid administrative leave, concentrating on those involved in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.
Trump, who has consistently criticized the federal government's involvement in education, particularly regarding taxpayer funding for public schools, contends that educational spending in the U.S. is excessively high in relation to the results achieved.
He advocates for increased local governance over schools, asserting that states should have the power to manage their educational systems.
If the Department of Education is successfully eliminated, it is likely that certain educational programs and funding will be integrated into other federal agencies.
Before the department's establishment in 1979, educational programs were overseen by various other entities.
Federal funding initiatives for K-12 education, including support for low-income students and those with disabilities, were in place prior to the formation of the department.
Historically, attempts to reduce the Education Department's budget have faced considerable backlash in Congress, with lawmakers frequently increasing funding beyond the president's proposals.
An analysis by the Brookings Institution found that Congress has overridden presidential budget cuts to the department approximately 71% of the time.
Sources close to the plan indicate that the draft order would instruct the Secretary of Education to develop a strategy for reducing the department through executive measures.
Moreover, the president plans to seek congressional legislation to officially disband the department, as its closure necessitates legislative approval.
President Trump has indicated his wish for his Secretary of Education nominee, Linda McMahon, to "put herself out of a job" by limiting the department's functions.
McMahon, who previously led the Small Business Administration, has not yet undergone her confirmation hearing for the position.
The push to abolish or consolidate the Education Department has been a persistent issue, although previous efforts have not garnered enough support in Congress.
During Trump’s first term, his administration proposed merging the Education and Labor Departments into one, a plan that did not progress despite the Republican majority in both congressional chambers.
In addition to this initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency, under Elon Musk's leadership, is also targeting the Education Department as part of a larger effort to reform the federal workforce.
The Trump administration has already placed numerous employees from the Education Department on paid administrative leave, concentrating on those involved in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.
Trump, who has consistently criticized the federal government's involvement in education, particularly regarding taxpayer funding for public schools, contends that educational spending in the U.S. is excessively high in relation to the results achieved.
He advocates for increased local governance over schools, asserting that states should have the power to manage their educational systems.
If the Department of Education is successfully eliminated, it is likely that certain educational programs and funding will be integrated into other federal agencies.
Before the department's establishment in 1979, educational programs were overseen by various other entities.
Federal funding initiatives for K-12 education, including support for low-income students and those with disabilities, were in place prior to the formation of the department.
Historically, attempts to reduce the Education Department's budget have faced considerable backlash in Congress, with lawmakers frequently increasing funding beyond the president's proposals.
An analysis by the Brookings Institution found that Congress has overridden presidential budget cuts to the department approximately 71% of the time.
