President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise and a key goal for conservatives. Surrounded by children at the White House, Trump accused the department of “breath-taking failures” and vowed to return control of education funding to individual states, stating, “We’re going to shut it down as quickly as possible.”
However, the White House acknowledged that completely closing the agency would require congressional approval, which faces significant hurdles given the slim Republican majority in the Senate. Established in 1979, the Department of Education administers federal student loans and supports programs for low-income students, but Trump has criticized it for allegedly indoctrinating young people with racial, sexual, and political content.
The order is already facing legal challenges, and while outright closure may be unlikely, the administration could drastically cut its funding and staff, similar to its approach with USAID. Critics warn that dismantling the department could disrupt vital programs, while supporters argue it would empower states to manage education more effectively.
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