Trump Orders Education Department Dismantling

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, initiating the dismantling of the United States — United States Department of Education, a long-standing campaign promise. The order directs Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate the closure and return education authority to the states, while preserving core functions like Title I funding and Pell grants. The Trump administration has already significantly cut the department's workforce and gutted agencies like the United States — Office for Civil Rights and the United States — Institute of Education Sciences. While the full dissolution requires an act of the United States, which created the department in 1979, the move signals a major shift in federal education policy. Critics, including the National Parents Union and Robert Scott, argue that this will harm vulnerable students and exacerbate educational inequality. Supporters like Moms for Liberty of Moms for Liberty believe it will empower states and parents. The order also highlights Donald Trump's intent to use the department's powers to advance his agenda on issues such as transgender athletes and diversity programs, while criticizing Joe Biden's student loan forgiveness efforts. The The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 has proposed shifting some of the department's functions to other agencies like the United States — United States Department of Health and Human Services.