Trump to Sign Executive Order Eliminating the Department of Education

Congressional Approval Required for Trump to Fully Dismantle Agency

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump is moving forward with plans to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign promise. The president is expected to sign an executive order aimed at eliminating the agency, which he has criticized as being filled with “radicals, zealots, and Marxists.”

A White House fact sheet states that the move will return control over education to families rather than bureaucracies. Supporters of the initiative, including the president, argue that the department has failed American students.

“NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) scores reveal a national crisis—our children are falling behind,” said Harrison Fields, the White House principal deputy press secretary, in a statement to USSpotlight News. Fields blamed Democrats for allowing an influx of undocumented minors into schools, which he claims has diverted resources from American students.

   Secretary of Education Linda McMahon appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for a confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 13.

Opposition and Legal Challenges

The executive order has sparked immediate pushback from educators and lawmakers. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), questioned the legality of Trump’s plan and called on Congress to block it.

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“The Department of Education was created to level the playing field and ensure all children have access to quality education,” Weingarten said. “Abolishing it sends a clear message that the president does not care about opportunity for all kids.”

According to an NPR/PBS News/Marist Poll conducted in February, more than 60% of Americans strongly oppose dismantling the agency. Despite Trump’s executive order, Congress holds the ultimate authority to eliminate the department, requiring 60 votes in the Senate—a difficult hurdle given the Republican Party’s current 53-seat majority.

Congressional Support and Challenges

While Trump’s order signals his intent to dismantle the department, he will need congressional approval to fully abolish it. Some lawmakers have shown support for the initiative. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) introduced legislation in January to dissolve the Department of Education by December 2026.

“Unelected bureaucrats in Washington should not be in charge of our children’s intellectual and moral development,” Massie stated. “States and local communities are best positioned to shape curricula that meet the needs of their students.”

Despite President Donald Trump’s order, he needs Congress to sign off on eradicating the agency. 

Education Policy Under Trump

Trump has long advocated for shifting control of education to the states and expanding school choice. He has repeatedly expressed his desire for parents to have the ability to send their children to public, private, charter, or faith-based schools.

“I want every parent in America to be empowered to choose the best school for their child,” Trump said at a rally in September 2024. “The time for universal school choice has come.”

Despite heavy opposition, Trump remains committed to the plan. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reaffirmed the administration’s stance, stating that Americans can expect Trump to follow through on his campaign promises.

“The president campaigned on this issue, and he will deliver,” Leavitt said in a February interview with Varney & Co.

Future of the Department of Education

Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), was confirmed as Secretary of Education on March 3. In a memo issued the same day, McMahon expressed her support for Trump’s plan and vowed to oversee a “new era of accountability” during the department’s final days.

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“Our job is to respect the will of the American people,” McMahon wrote. “The president has tasked us with eliminating bureaucratic bloat at the Department of Education—quickly and responsibly.”

Meanwhile, congressional Democrats have demanded more information about the agency’s future. In a letter to Acting Secretary of Education Denise Carter, lawmakers warned against shutting down the department, arguing it plays a critical role in ensuring equal access to education nationwide.

“We will not stand by and allow this to happen to the nation’s students, parents, borrowers, educators, and communities,” the letter stated.

What’s Next?

The Department of Education was established in 1980 to oversee federal education programs and support state and local school systems. It currently operates with a budget of $79.1 billion for the 2024 fiscal year.

Critics of the department argue that despite billions spent, student outcomes have remained stagnant. The latest NAEP report, released in January, showed a decline in reading scores and no significant improvement in math for eighth graders. Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos argued in a recent op-ed that these results highlight the need for a complete overhaul of the system.

While Trump’s executive order is a significant step toward his goal, its success ultimately hinges on congressional approval. Until then, the future of the Department of Education remains uncertain.