How Donald Trump’s Policies Could Transform the Department of Education: Essential Insights You Need to Know

There are reports that the Trump administration is considering an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. This comes after Trump promised during his campaign to shut down the agency, claiming it was influenced by what he calls “radical zealots and Marxists.” He believes that control over education should belong to the states, not the federal government.

The discussions about this order align with the efforts of Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which aims to reduce government size and spending.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the proposed order would eliminate any department functions not specified by law and possibly shift some responsibilities to other agencies. It would also push for legislation to formally abolish the department, though removing it entirely would require approval from Congress.

As part of this shift, a White House official confirmed plans for executive actions to defund the education department in February. Recently, 55 employees from the department were placed on paid administrative leave due to Trump’s executive order against diversity and inclusion programs in federal agencies. Those affected were denied access to their emails and instructed not to return to their offices. A spokesperson for the Education Department mentioned that a DOGE team would be working with the department to implement the new directives.

Although Trump has a vision for dismantling the Department of Education, he cannot do so by executive order alone. Congressional action is necessary to abolish a federal agency. Meanwhile, Representative Thomas Massie has revived a bill to abolish the department, stating that the elimination would occur by December 31, 2026. Massie argues that education should be managed locally, allowing parents to choose the best options for their children.

Reactions to these developments vary. Musk pointed out that past attempts to eliminate the department haven’t succeeded, suggesting that now might be different under Trump’s leadership. In contrast, Democratic Representative Judy Chu expressed concerns about the potential consequences of shutting down the department, emphasizing its role in supporting low-income students and enforcing civil rights.

As for when any official actions might take place, the timing remains uncertain. Discussions among Trump’s advisers are ongoing, focusing on the details of the potential order.

Source link

Donald Trump,Department of Education,Schools,Elon Musk