Trump was not playing when he said he was going to change America.
President Donald Trump is reportedly on the verge of signing an executive order that could set the stage for dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the size and influence of the federal government, championed by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group tasked with streamlining government operations. The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the Trump administration has been considering this significant step as part of its ongoing push to empower state and local authorities over federal bureaucracy.
The executive order, currently in draft form, is expected to outline a plan for the Education Secretary to propose a gradual deconstruction of the department. However, it’s important to note that only Congress has the authority to formally abolish the agency. As a result, the order would likely set the groundwork for reducing the department’s functions over time, while also urging Congress to pass legislation that could ultimately dissolve it.
Trump, who campaigned on a platform of education reform, has long argued that education should be managed at the state level, not by Washington, D.C. This sentiment aligns with his broader goal of reducing federal overreach in areas that should be under local control. Since the Department of Education became a Cabinet-level agency in 1980, conservatives have pushed back against its expansion, claiming that education decisions are better made by local communities.
The move is expected to be a two-pronged approach: First, using existing administrative authority to wind down the department’s operations, and second, requiring an inventory of the various laws and regulations governing the agency’s responsibilities. While full abolition would require congressional approval, GOP leaders are already working behind the scenes to gather support for such measures.
As of now, Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, has not yet been confirmed by the Senate. Should this executive order be signed before her confirmation, it could place her in a politically challenging position, as she may be asked to explain the administration’s approach to education reform without having had the opportunity to officially take the helm of the department.