Trump Signs Executive Order To Dismantle US Department Of Education

Donald Trump signed an executive order calling for the dismantling of the US Education Department and reassigning its functions to states. Meanwhile, congressional approval would be required to fully abolish the department. Trump's order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure" of the agency, established in 1979.

"We're going to shut it down as quickly as possible," Trump said on Thursday, as quoted by BBC. As per the report, the US education department oversees funding for public schools, administers student loans and runs initiatives that help low-income students. The Department of Education does not operate schools in the country or set curricula, when in fact, these duties fall to states and local districts. It also enforces civil rights laws that prohibit race or sex-based discrimination in federally funded schools.

The cabinet-level department has about 4,400 employees, and its allocation was $238 billion in fiscal year 2024. Of all the president's cabinet agencies, it is the smallest, representing less than 2% of the federal budget. For over four decades, conservatives have consistently voiced their disapproval of the department and reportedly suggested its abolishment. Although the White House said that the agency will continue to perform some essential services, the executive order provides no information on how the department closure will be implemented or where it will be targeted.