President Trump Moves to Dismantle Federal Department of Education with Executive Order

Washington, D.C.: In a significant move to reshape the American education system, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday to reduce the federal Department of Education's size and transfer more control over education policies to state and local governments. This decision marks a major step toward fulfilling one of Trump's key campaign promises—to diminish federal oversight in education and empower local authorities.

The executive order calls for a comprehensive review of the Department of Education’s operations, identifying areas where federal involvement can be minimized or eliminated. Trump has long been critical of the department, arguing that it has become bloated, inefficient, and dominated by liberal ideologies that, in his view, have negatively impacted academic performance and increased unnecessary federal intervention in local school systems.

During the signing ceremony, Trump reiterated his belief that education should be managed closer to home: "For too long, Washington bureaucrats have dictated what students should learn and how schools should be run. It’s time to return control to the people who know what’s best for our children—parents, teachers, and local communities."

The move has been met with strong reactions from both supporters and critics. Conservatives and proponents of school choice have welcomed the decision, arguing that local authorities are better equipped to address the unique needs of their communities without excessive federal oversight. They believe that reducing the federal role in education will lead to more flexibility, innovation, and accountability at the state and local levels.

On the other hand, critics, including many educators and Democratic lawmakers, have expressed concerns that this could lead to disparities in education quality across different states. They argue that federal oversight is necessary to ensure equal access to quality education, enforce civil rights protections, and maintain national academic standards. Some have warned that weakening the federal role could negatively impact underprivileged students who rely on federal funding and regulations to receive equal educational opportunities.

The Department of Education, established in 1979, has played a crucial role in enforcing education laws, distributing federal funds, and ensuring that schools meet national academic standards. While past Republican administrations have sought to limit its influence, Trump’s executive order represents one of the most aggressive attempts to curtail its power.

As part of the order, a task force will be established to review federal education policies and recommend areas where authority can be transferred back to the states. It remains unclear how much of the department’s functions will ultimately be dismantled, but the executive order signals a major shift in federal education policy.

With this move, the debate over the role of federal government in education is likely to intensify in the coming months. Lawmakers, education experts, and advocacy groups will closely monitor how these changes unfold and whether they lead to significant restructuring or merely symbolic reductions in federal oversight. For now, Trump’s decision stands as a landmark effort to redefine the balance of power in American education governance.