On March 20, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order that directed U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.” This is the next step in an ongoing campaign to dismantle an agency that the Republican party has consistently denounced.
What the Department Does
The Department of Education oversees programs that help students pay college tuition, including Pell grants for low-income students, and funds just under 10% of public school budgets. Numerous American students and education programs rely on this department to achieve an education that the richest country on Earth should be able to provide.
An Uncertain Promise
Though the administration has promised to distribute the most essential functions of the Department of Education to other federal departments, such as services for students with disabilities to the Department of Health and Human Services, many are skeptical. This is because the order also instructs McMahon to “terminate illegal discrimination obscured under the label ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion.’”
Already, the White House has nearly halved the Department of Education’s workforce from 4,100. Eliminating a federal agency, however, requires congressional action. As such, Trump’s executive order does not actually eliminate the department but encourages action in that direction.
Can This Pass the Senate?
It is not likely that the order will pass simply as a result of Republican action. To shut down the department in an official manner would require 60 votes in the Senate, while Republicans only hold 53 seats.
“Closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them,” McMahon attempted to clarify. “We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition.”
A Potentially Catastrophic Impact
In contrast, advocates for children expressed that this order could have a troubling effect on schools across the country. The removal of DEI programs could encourage discriminatory practices, despite what the order claims to push for. Indeed, the funding distributed by the Department of Education is primarily allocated to vulnerable and underprivileged students.
“[The order] could result in a catastrophic impact on the country’s most vulnerable students and cutting much-needed funding will specifically impact students of color, students with disabilities and students in low-income communities,” the Association of California School Administrators stated.
Some leaders like California Attorney General Rob Bonta have sued the administration for the firing of federal employees and the cancellation of research contracts, while others like House Speaker Mike Johnson praised the order.
In a post on X, the Louisiana Republican had this to say: “President Trump is keeping his promise and returning education to the states.”
An Attack on Underserved Communities
Overall, Trump’s recent executive orders have placed an emphasis on attacking programs aimed at providing equitable services to America’s underserved communities. The elimination of these programs puts certain groups at risk, whether in terms of their finances, their education, or otherwise.
As Jessie Ryan, president of the Campaign for College Opportunity stated, “[these attacks] will leave millions of students and their families vulnerable to discrimination and deny them the opportunity to succeed in school, achieve their individual potential and prepare for the future workforce. We cannot allow this administration to steamroll students and communities to achieve its agenda.”
“The ultimate goal,” Guillermo Mayer, President and CEO of the Public Advocates nonprofit said, “is to erode the public’s trust in our system of public education.”
