Executive Order to Begin Department’s Elimination
The Trump administration is drafting an executive order aimed at initiating the dismantling of the Department of Education. The proposed order would direct the Education Secretary to devise a plan to reduce the department’s influence through executive actions. Additionally, the administration would push Congress to pass legislation to formally eliminate the department, though such efforts have historically faced resistance.
Past Efforts to Restructure the Department
Calls to abolish or merge the Department of Education with another federal agency are not new but have repeatedly failed in Congress. During Trump’s first term, his administration proposed merging the Education and Labor Departments, but despite Republican control of both chambers, the initiative did not advance.
Federal Workforce Reduction and Policy Shifts
The administration’s efforts also align with broader government restructuring initiatives. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, is scrutinizing the Education Department’s operations. Recently, dozens of department employees were placed on paid administrative leave as part of a broader push to remove staff associated with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programs.
Trump’s Campaign Promises and Cultural Impact
On the campaign trail, Trump has repeatedly criticized the Department of Education, portraying it as an example of federal overreach. He has linked the department to culture war issues, pledging to overhaul federal education policies and reduce perceived ideological influence in schools. “We will drain the government education swamp and stop the abuse of your taxpayer dollars to indoctrinate America’s youth,” Trump stated.
Potential Consequences and Congressional Roadblocks
Even if the department were eliminated, some programs and funding could be reassigned to other agencies, as many educational initiatives predate the department’s 1979 creation. Federal programs supporting low-income students and children with disabilities existed before the department was established and could be preserved under different administrative structures.
However, past attempts to cut the department’s budget have faced strong congressional opposition. According to the Brookings Institution, when presidents have proposed budget reductions for the department, Congress has instead increased funding in about 71% of cases. Even during Trump’s first term, the Republican-led Congress rejected proposed cuts and allocated additional funding to the department.
