In a bold and controversial move, U.S President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at “eliminating” the Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing goal of conservative groups who advocate for state-run education systems, free from federal oversight.
The ceremony, held in the East Room of the White House, featured a group of schoolchildren sitting at desks as Trump signed the order, which he declared would “begin eliminating the federal Department of Education once and for all.
The Department of Education, established in 1979, has long been a target of the political right, which believes that education should be managed at the state and local levels rather than dictated by the federal government. While the Department cannot be completely dissolved without the approval of Congress, Trump’s order has the potential to drastically reduce its funding and staff, weakening its influence over the nation’s education policies.
This move is part of a larger, ongoing effort by Trump to overhaul the federal government, an initiative that has gained further traction with the involvement of tech mogul Elon Musk, a key ally in the president’s campaign to streamline and rework government structures.
The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps” to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and to return education authority to individual states, a shift that could significantly reshape how schools are funded and regulated across the country.
Critics argue that dismantling the Department of Education could lead to uneven educational standards and further inequalities between states, while proponents believe that it will allow for more localized, tailored approaches to education.
As this landmark decision moves through its initial stages, the future of federal involvement in education remains uncertain, with many looking to Congress to determine the next steps.
