Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, directing the Department of Education to begin its dismantling, fulfilling his promise to return educational authority to states. This controversial move follows his claim that federal oversight has failed American students.
The executive order, which Trump characterized as necessary to empower families and communities, targets what he describes as the unaccountable federal education bureaucracy that has failed to improve national test scores despite significant federal funding.
During a signing ceremony at the White House, Trump reiterated his long-time campaign promise to “send education back to the states,” stating that the federal government has spent around $200 billion during the COVID-19 pandemic alone, while national reading and math scores remain alarmingly low. According to the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress, 70% of eighth graders are below proficient in reading, and 72% in math.
The implications of such a move are igniting fierce political backlash. Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries criticized the executive order, asserting that it would endanger millions of low-income American families dependent on federal educational funding. “Shutting down the Department of Education will harm millions of children in our nation’s public schools, their families and hardworking teachers,” Jeffries declared. The department, created in 1979, has provided essential funding and oversight for various educational programs, impacting educators and students alike.
Alongside the dismantling of the education department, the Trump administration has drawn attention for freezing $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania over controversies surrounding a transgender swimmer's participation in the institution’s training programs. This funding freeze adds to the existing tensions wherein Trump's policies are continuously scrutinized, especially in regard to civil rights.
Further political turbulence surfaced with recent developments involving immigration policy. Just last week, a Venezuelan asylum seeker, Jerce Reyes Barrios, was deported to El Salvador, reflecting ongoing hardline immigration measures under Trump. The administration's aggressive stance has led to increased scrutiny over the treatment of deported individuals, with claims of targeting individuals based on tattoos, which are mistakenly seen as gang affiliations.
Compounding the administration's woes, a federal judge recently instructed the Trump administration to explain its actions surrounding deportation flights to El Salvador. This oversight indicates growing tension between the judicial and executive branches, illustrating the challenging environment Trump navigates during his current term.
The controversies surrounding Trump's administration also touch upon his administration's foreign affairs. The United States recently denied a request from Mexico for additional water allocations, citing shortfalls in compliance with the 1944 water-sharing treaty. This refusal underlines the rising tensions between the two countries amid resource scarcity exacerbated by climate change.
On the topic of domestic issues, the federal government's relationship with tech giant Tesla has also turned turbulent. On March 20, U.S. safety regulators announced a recall of nearly all Cybertrucks after discovering safety issues that could pose hazards to other drivers on the road. This marks the eighth recall for Tesla since deliveries began, highlighting ongoing concerns over quality control within the company.
In a related development, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi held a press conference to announce charges against individuals accused of damaging Tesla properties, labeling their actions as “domestic terrorism.” This statement marks a notable escalation between Tesla's public position and that of Trump’s federal administration, indicating a divide among supporters and critics of the company.
Amidst all this chaos, moments of personal drama continue to unfold as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referred to Elon Musk in derogatory terms during a recent event, sparking discussions about Musk’s polarizing presence in the political arena.
In line with the administration's aims for efficiency, a federal judge has blocked Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) from accessing social security records as part of a comprehensive search for fraud and waste. The judge deemed this pursuit a “fishing expedition,” signaling potential pushback against Musk’s expansive actions under Trump’s directives.
The ripple effects of Trump's actions have extended to various spheres—political, social, and economic—indicating a turbulent environment ahead as various groups, from educators to tech influencers, react to the sweeping changes implemented by the administration.
As tensions rise across the political landscape, observers are left questioning how the Trump administration will navigate these multifaceted challenges while facing a backdrop of shifting public opinions and growing dissent.
