Well, folks, buckle up for another bold move from former President Donald Trump! This time, he’s taking aim at the Department of Education—going so far as to sign an executive order directing the department to plan its own dismantling. But can he actually pull it off? Not so fast. Congress alone has the power to abolish federal agencies, and it's unclear if Trump has the votes to make it happen. That said, he has already made significant cuts—slashing staff, limiting civil rights investigations, and weakening the department’s research division. This move echoes a long-standing Republican agenda dating back to the Reagan era, arguing that education should be left entirely to the states. But what impact would this really have? The department’s primary role is managing financial aid for students and enforcing anti-discrimination laws—functions that could be shifted to other agencies, though critics say that might weaken key protections. So, while Trump might not be able to fully erase the department, he’s certainly reshaping it to fit his vision.

Key Points:

• Trump’s executive order directs the Education Department to plan its own closure, but only Congress can officially dismantle it.
• Major cuts underway: About half of the department’s staff has been fired, its research division shrunk, and civil rights enforcement scaled back.
• Historical context: Trump’s push reflects a long-standing Republican goal, previously championed in the Reagan era, to return education control to the states.
• Functions of the department: It primarily distributes financial aid to students, enforces anti-discrimination laws, and directs federal funding to low-income and disabled students in K-12 education.
• Federal funding impact: The department oversees only about 10% of K-12 school budgets, with most funding coming from state and local sources.
• What happens next? Even if Trump can’t eliminate the department, he’s likely to weaken oversight by shifting roles to other agencies.

So, what’s the verdict? While Trump’s dream of shutting down the Department of Education is no slam dunk, he’s certainly making waves in how it operates. Will Congress step in—or will states take back more control? Stay tuned!
Link to Article