President Donald Trump expected to sign executive order as early as Thursday that would set in motion the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal.
The draft of the order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” while adhering to the maximum extent permitted by law. The move aligns with long-standing conservative goals to return control over education to state and local governments, reducing federal oversigh.
For decades, Republican lawmakers and conservative activists have pushed for the elimination of the Department of Education, arguing that federal control over education has led to bureaucratic inefficiency and declining student outcomes.
The draft order reportedly states:
“The experiment of controlling American education through federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support—has failed our children, our teachers, and our families.”
Trump’s Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, has previously pledged to “send education back to the states.” The administration has framed this move as an effort to improve accountability and empower parents, teachers, and local school boards to determine educational standards and policies.
While the executive order would initiate the process, fully dismantling the Department of Education would require significant legislative action.
According to legal experts cited by The Wall Street Journal, eliminating the department altogether would necessitate a filibuster-proof, 60-vote majority in the Senate—a challenging feat given the political landscape.
Many of the department’s major programs, including funding for students with disabilities and federal student loan programs, are codified in law and have strong political constituencies.
Any attempt to abolish the department would likely face fierce opposition from Democrats and some moderate Republicans who argue that federal oversight is necessary to ensure educational equity across the country.
Interestingly, the draft order does not mention Congress, raising questions about how the administration plans to proceed without legislative approval.
On the other hand, opponents warn that eliminating the department could lead to increased inequality in education, with some states lacking the resources to adequately fund schools. They argue that federal oversight is crucial for ensuring that all students, particularly those in underserved communities, have access to quality education.
Teachers’ unions, civil rights organizations, and Democratic lawmakers are expected to mount significant opposition to the proposal. The National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have long defended the Department of Education, arguing that its role is essential in enforcing federal education laws, protecting students’ rights, and overseeing funding for disadvantaged students.
More details about the administration’s plan are expected to emerge in the coming days. While the executive order itself does not immediately dismantle the department, it signals a major step toward shifting federal education responsibilities to the states.
This is a developing story—check back for updates.