Trump Signs Executive Order To Dismantle Department Of Education
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, taking the first formal step toward fulfilling a long-standing campaign pledge to decentralize education and return authority to states and local communities.
The order, signed in a ceremony attended by Republican governors, education reform advocates, and parents’ rights groups, directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of closing the department while maintaining the continuity of programs such as Title I and special education funding.
Kamala Harris warned us all numerous times about Donald Trump eliminating Department of Education unfortunately millions ignored the warnings and voted for him anyway. #DOE #JoyfulWarriors
— Joyful Trouble (@mini-marshmallows.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 6:38 AM
The order also mandates the termination of any federally funded education initiatives that operate under labels such as “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or promote gender ideology.
Trump described the decision as “common sense,” citing consistently poor academic outcomes despite decades of increasing federal spending. “We’re spending more per student than anyone else, and yet we’re at the bottom. That ends today,” the president said.
I'm starting to think the Americans who are mad at the education their children are getting and are blaming the federal Department of Education for it might just be dumb as fuck.
— Joe Kassabian (@jkass99.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 3:22 AM
The Department of Education, created in 1979, currently oversees the distribution of more than $80 billion annually in taxpayer funds, but does not control curriculum or local school decisions.
Critics argue that its function has evolved into an administrative bureaucracy enforcing shifting political agendas without delivering academic improvement.
Teachers Say 'See You In Court' as Trump Tries to Abolish Department of Education...
"We won't be silent as anti-public education politicians try to steal opportunities from our students, our families, and our communities..."
www.commondreams.org/news/trump-d...
— US Political Politics News The Fighting Liberal Democrat (@us-political-news.bsky.social) March 20, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Former Department of Education official Virginia Gentles, now with the Defense of Freedom Institute, said outcomes have deteriorated under federal oversight, especially in the past five years. She noted that the department’s ideological directives, particularly under the Biden administration, prioritized political activism over student learning and safety.
McMahon is tasked with maintaining federal services while executing the closure. Programs will transition to state oversight where applicable, with Congress expected to handle funding adjustments through legislation. The department has already initiated staff reductions and canceled grants promoting what the administration terms “divisive ideologies.”
While the executive order cannot fully eliminate the department without congressional action, it begins the administrative process of winding down operations. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) announced plans to introduce formal legislation to shut down the agency.
I can’t imagine how terrible Utah’s schools are going to be for my kids with IEPs if there’s no DoE to enforce the IDEA
Our GOP overlords have already shown many times they don’t give a shit about Utahns on the margins…especially when it comes to kids
— Steve der Weihnachtsmann (@igobysteve.bsky.social) March 20, 2025 at 8:49 PM