President Donald Trump is gearing up to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday, March 6, 2025, which is set to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. This bold move aims to return education control to the states and is reflective of the president's longstanding goal to curtail federal oversight of education.
Sources close to the matter revealed the draft executive order directs freshly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department,” emphasizing actions permissible under current laws. Trump’s administration has characterized this initiative as part of his commitment to liberate education from bureaucratic regulation.
According to the draft order obtained by the Wall Street Journal, “The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support—has failed our children, our teachers, and our families.” This assertion underlines the administration's belief in federal inefficacy and its promise to redirect the future of education.
McMahon, who was confirmed by the Senate on March 3, 2025, expressed her alignment with Trump’s vision shortly after her confirmation. She stated, “We will send education back to the states,” reaffirming her commitment to see this agenda implemented decisively.
Despite the eagerness to push forward, experts caution about the legal hurdles associated with abolishing the department. The responsibilities of the Department of Education, established by law, cannot be unilaterally dismantled without congressional approval. This procedural reality was acknowledged both by McMahon during her confirmation hearing and within the language of the draft itself.
Critics of the administration argue the department provides necessary financial aid and accountability across the educational spectrum. For example, Augustus Mays, vice president for partnerships and engagement at The Education Trust, stated, “Closing the agency would really cripple the ability to function and aid the support these students need to really succeed from an academic standpoint.” The advocacy for maintaining the department is backed by data illustrating its role, which includes upholding nondiscrimination laws and facilitating key programs aiding low-income students.
Currently, the department allocates funding through programs such as Title I, which assists high-poverty schools, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which supports special education initiatives. McMahon has assured stakeholders these programs will not be diminished, asserting her belief these initiatives could even be managed more effectively by different parts of the government.
The proposed executive order explicitly calls for the termination of any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within federally funded programs, as it seeks to curtail what the administration perceives as illegal forms of discrimination masking as educational policy. This has elicited mixed responses, igniting significant debate among educators, lawmakers, and the general public about the future direction of federal education policy.
Polling data reflects public sentiment on this issue; approximately 63% of Americans oppose the dissolution of the Department of Education according to recent surveys. This widespread apprehension signals potential backlash against the administration’s plans.
On the legislative front, Trump's Republican allies have pointed to disappointing national test scores as justification for such disruptive changes. The U.S. currently ranks 20th out of 41 countries according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, highlighting persistent educational challenges.
McMahon's experience from her time as CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment is seen as bringing valuable insights on reform and dismantling bureaucratic structures. She indicated her aim is to roll back what she considers excessive federal oversight, aligning with Trump’s call for local control over educational policies.
Yet, not all Republicans are on board with this dismantling strategy. Some express concerns about losing federally mandated opportunities for vulnerable student populations. Congressional leaders from both parties are likely to be resistant to efforts to strip funding aimed at improving outcomes for disadvantaged communities.
During the past months, frustrations have brewed leading to significant staff reductions within the Department, with reports indicating multiple employees have either resigned under pressure or taken administrative leave. Such developments may foretell the administration's intended overhaul of the agency.
While bolstering her role, McMahon has committed to presenting Congress with comprehensive plans aimed at reforming the agency. She communicated through department-wide communications, emphasizing the historic opportunity this moment presents for overhauling educational objectives.
With the expected release of the executive order within the next few days, all eyes will be on how this ambitious approach will materialize against the backdrop of legal and political challenges. Both public and educational advocates are preparing to rally against what many perceive as detrimental to America’s future generations.
This executive order marks yet another controversial chapter within Trump's administration, as he attempts to reshape federal involvement in education. Observers across the political spectrum are closely monitoring this escalation as it reshapes educational policy at the national level.