President Trump Issues Executive Order to Begin Dissolving Department of Education
President Donald Trump has taken a significant step in fulfilling his Project 2025 goal by ordering Education Secretary Linda McMahon to commence the process of dismantling the Department of Education. The executive order, announced on Thursday, March 20, acknowledges that only Congress has the authority to abolish the Education Department formally. Instead, Trump’s directive instructs McMahon to initiate the dissolution of the department to the best of her ability. It is anticipated that McMahon may seek to redistribute the department’s responsibilities to other government bodies, a move that could face legal challenges, alongside significant reductions in staff and programs.
Project 2025, a key initiative for the Trump administration, is aimed at revamping various sectors, with the Department of Education being a major focus. Recent reports have indicated that numerous officials within the department have been relieved of their duties, starting with the suspension of several employees in February associated with the termination of diversity and inclusion programs. Subsequently, a 50% reduction in the department’s workforce in March was implemented to enhance the quality of the US education system. Before these measures, the department offered financial incentives of up to $25,000 for voluntary resignations in a bid to streamline operations.
Criticism towards the Department of Education has been a recurring theme in Trump’s administration. The President has consistently advocated for reducing the federal government’s involvement in education, emphasising the need to return education policy-making to individual states. Trump has voiced his concerns regarding the alleged infiltration of radical ideologies within the department, prompting his push for its downsizing and eventual elimination. These sentiments align with the objectives outlined in Project 2025, a comprehensive strategy endorsed by Trump-aligned think tanks.
Linda McMahon, the co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, who was appointed as the Education Secretary by Trump, has been entrusted with leading the efforts to overhaul the education system. McMahon’s confirmation by the Senate in a partisan vote marked a pivotal moment in realising the administration’s vision for education reform. Her stated commitment to promoting school choice and empowering parents to make informed decisions regarding their children’s education underscores the administration’s priorities in the education sector.
The decision to dismantle the Department of Education represents a significant departure from the existing federal framework for overseeing educational policies and programmes. Trump’s move to reduce the department’s size and influence aligns with his longstanding belief in delegating greater authority to individual states in shaping their education systems. While the implications of this executive order are yet to fully materialise, it signals a fundamental shift in the federal government’s approach to education governance.
In conclusion, President Trump’s directive to commence the dissolution of the Department of Education marks a pivotal moment in his administration’s efforts to revamp the education sector. The decision reflects Trump’s commitment to reducing federal oversight in education and empowering states to take a more active role in shaping educational policies. As the process unfolds, the implications of this executive order on the education landscape will become clearer, sparking debates on the future of education governance in the United States.