Trump signs order to scrap US education department

The United States (US) President, Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin eliminating the Department of Education.

Media report says, Trump signed the order during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on Thursday March 20, 2025.

The move fulfills a major campaign promise and marks a drastic step in his administration’s ongoing government overhaul.

Flanked by schoolchildren sitting at desks, he smiled and held up the order after signing it.

Trump declared, “We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible. It’s doing us no good.”

He added, “We’re going to return education back to the states where it belongs.”

Efforts to Dismantle the Education Department

The Department of Education was established in 1979 to oversee federal education programs.

Conservatives have long argued that states should have full control over schools without federal interference.

Trump’s order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin transferring responsibilities to state governments.

It also instructs her to ‘take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education’.

Though Congress must approve a full shutdown, Trump’s order could significantly weaken the department by cutting funding and staff.

McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment CEO, has already made deep staff reductions since assuming office.

She told reporters, “Trump wants to get those dollars back to the states without the bureaucracy of Washington.”

Political Reactions

Democrats and education advocates have strongly criticized Trump’s decision.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it a ‘tyrannical power grab’ and ‘one of the most destructive steps Trump has ever taken.’

Many Republicans have praised the move as a victory for states rights and reduced government intervention.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Texas Governor Greg Abbott attended the signing ceremony in support of the decision.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank, celebrated the move on social media.

The organization wrote on X, “It’s a beautiful day to dismantle the Department of Education.”

Impact on Schools

The federal government funds about 13 percent of primary and secondary school education in the U.S.

Most funding comes from state and local governments, but federal money supports low-income students and special needs programs.

Critics argue that shutting down the department could weaken protections for disadvantaged students.

The Education Department also enforces civil rights laws in schools across the country.

Part of a Broader Government Overhaul

Trump’s administration has been aggressively cutting government agencies and programs.

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has played a key role in these efforts through his Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).

Several federal agencies have already been downsized or eliminated under Trump’s restructuring plan.

Trump’s attempt to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development was recently blocked by a federal judge.

Despite legal challenges, Trump remains committed to reducing the federal government’s role in education.

His supporters argue that decentralizing education will lead to better policies at the state level.

However, opponents warn that the move could destabilize the American education system.

While the full elimination of the department remains uncertain, Trump has taken a major step toward making it happen.

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