Trump Set to Sign Executive Order to Dismantle Department of Education.
As of March 6, 2025, President Donald Trump is poised to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, a federal agency established in 1979. This dramatic step, reported by major outlets like NPR and CNN on March 5, fulfills a cornerstone of Trump’s campaign promises to eliminate what he calls a bloated bureaucracy and return education control to the states. While the order acknowledges that fully abolishing the department requires congressional approval—a steep hurdle—Trump aims to use executive power to wind down its operations as far as legally possible, sparking intense debate over the future of American education.
The Department of Education, with a 2024 budget of $79 billion, oversees critical programs like Title I funding for low-income schools, IDEA for students with disabilities, and the $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. Trump has long criticized it as inefficient, pointing to stagnant academic performance despite over $1 trillion in spending since its inception—a figure he’s cited since his 2023 campaign. The executive order, expected to be formalized today, follows McMahon’s Senate confirmation on March 3, where she signaled readiness to “unwind” the agency. This aligns with broader efforts under Trump’s administration, including Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which began auditing the agency’s data in late February.
The push to dismantle the department isn’t new—Republicans have targeted it since the Reagan era—but Trump’s approach marks a bold escalation. The draft order instructs McMahon to identify programs that can be terminated or transferred to other agencies, like Treasury for loans or Justice for civil rights enforcement. Supporters argue this will slash costs and empower states, which already fund 90% of K-12 education through local taxes. Posts on X from March 5 show enthusiasm among Trump’s base, with users hailing it as a blow to federal overreach, though some question how much can be achieved without Congress, where a similar bill by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) stalled despite 27 co-sponsors in 2025.
Opponents, including Democrats and education advocates, warn of dire consequences. The department employs 4,000 staff and manages policies affecting 50 million public school students and 20 million college attendees. Critics fear that gutting it could disrupt funding for vulnerable students—like the 7 million served by IDEA—and weaken oversight of school safety and equity, areas where federal rules have historically countered state disparities. The American Federation of Teachers called it “a reckless attack on kids,” while Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer vowed to block any legislative follow-through, citing the need for 60 votes to overcome a filibuster.
Trump’s team counters that states are better equipped to tailor education, framing the department as a relic of Jimmy Carter’s era that’s outlived its purpose. The order ties into his broader narrative of slashing government waste, echoing his recent deals with tech giants like TSMC. Yet, legal experts note limits to executive power—while Trump can freeze hiring, halt new regulations, or redirect funds, fully dissolving the agency requires lawmakers’ consent, a prospect dimmed by a narrowly divided Congress. Past GOP efforts, like the 2017 push under Betsy DeVos, fizzled for similar reasons.
The timing amplifies the stakes. With McMahon—a former WWE executive and Trump loyalist—now at the helm, the administration signals urgency. Reports suggest DOGE’s findings, expected by mid-March, could bolster the case by highlighting alleged inefficiencies, like the $18 billion in annual administrative costs Trump allies decry. Meanwhile, states like Florida and Texas, already vocal about local control, may welcome the shift, while others, reliant on federal aid, brace for chaos. The White House has stayed mum on specifics, but sources hint the signing could occur today, March 6, per The New York Times.
As this unfolds, the nation watches a high-stakes gamble. Trump’s order could reshape education policy—or falter as a symbolic gesture if Congress holds firm. For now, it’s a lightning rod, reigniting debates over federal versus state power, student welfare, and government efficiency. Whether it’s a historic overhaul or a political misstep, the impact will ripple through classrooms and campuses for years to come, making March 6, 2025, a pivotal moment in U.S. education history.
