Following through on a campaign promise, President Trump signed an ‌executive order to dissolve the Department of Education, a move long advocated by some conservative groups.

Trump has‌ criticized the department for what ‍he termed an astounding failure and pledged to return the funds it controls to individual ⁣states.

We will ‌close it quickly, ​ Trump stated on Thursday, after signing the order.

During the signing ceremony,​ Trump praised Linda‍ McMahon, the head of the department, expressing his hope that she ‌would ‌be the last to hold the position.

Trump indicated he would find other tasks for McMahon within his governance.

McMahon reportedly sent a memo to the department’s 4,400 employees shortly after taking office, titled The Last Mission ‌of ‍Our Department, alluding to Trump’s intention to dissolve it.

This is our prospect to provide the last⁤ public service that is​ memorable for future generation students, she wrote.⁢ I hope you can ‍all work with⁤ me, so that ‍when this last mission is complete, we can proudly declare ‍that we have bequeathed American education ⁤that is more independent, ​more resilient, and full of hope for ‌the future.

The executive order is anticipated to face legal challenges, ⁢similar to other efforts by the Trump administration ‍to reduce the size of the federal government.

Closing ​the department entirely would require congressional approval, a fact‍ acknowledged by the White House.

Since Trump’s ⁢return to the ⁢White House, the department has⁣ announced‍ plans to cut its workforce⁣ by⁤ approximately ⁤half.

The‍ Role ⁤of the Department of Education

Established in 1979, the Department of education is responsible for overseeing funding for‍ public schools, managing student loans, and administering ‍programs aimed at assisting underprivileged⁣ students.

Contrary to a ⁢common misconception, the department⁣ does ⁢not control schools ⁢or determine curriculum. These responsibilities ⁣lie with state and local districts.

The agency manages student ⁢loan programs and Pell Grants, which provide financial aid to low-income students ‍pursuing higher education.

It also provides funding for programs ⁢supporting students with disabilities and those living in poverty.

Furthermore, the ⁣department enforces civil rights laws designed‌ to prevent discrimination based on⁣ race or sex in federally​ funded schools.

However, Trump ⁣and his supporters⁤ have accused the department of ⁤promoting specific ideologies in schools.

The American Teacher Federation has condemned trump’s plan,calling‌ it detrimental‍ to equal opportunity for all ⁣children.

Nobody likes bureaucracy,and everyone⁢ supports ⁣greater efficiency,so let’s find a ⁤way to achieve it, the union said in a statement. But don’t use ‘war against Woke’ to attack⁣ children who live in poverty and⁢ children with disabilities.

Budget and Workforce

The U.S.spends ‍5.4% of its GDP on ⁢education,according to UNESCO data.

In fiscal year 2024, the Department of Education’s budget‌ was $238 billion, less⁢ than 2% of ‍the total federal budget.

The department employs‌ approximately 4,400‍ people.

Most public funding for ⁤U.S.⁤ schools comes ​from state and regional governments.

In⁤ 2024,the Education ⁤Data Initiative⁤ estimated that the U.S. ⁢spent over $857 billion on primary and secondary education, equivalent to $17,280 per student.

The Path to Dissolution

President Trump⁣ needs congressional approval to eliminate‍ the department of Education.

This⁤ would require a ⁣significant ​majority in the Senate, potentially as many as 60 out​ of 100 senators.

Even in the House of Representatives,⁤ securing the necessary support may prove challenging.

despite these obstacles,Trump remains committed to his plan.

The executive order directs ‍Secretary of Education Linda McMahon⁢ to take all the steps needed to ⁤facilitate the closure‌ of the Department​ of education.

McMahon is also⁤ instructed to transfer authority to state and regional ‍governments and ensure the ​continued delivery of services⁣ and‍ benefits.

Even if the department is not formally dissolved, the Trump administration can still significantly reduce its budget and‍ workforce, ⁣as it has done‍ with other agencies.

The Fate of Student Loans

The Department‌ of Education oversees a ​considerable student⁤ loan portfolio.

Trump‌ has expressed his intention to transfer⁣ this duty to other government agencies.

I don’t think ⁢the Department of Education should not ‍handle loans, Trump stated.​ That’s not their business.

Experts estimate the student loan portfolio to be⁢ worth over​ $1.5 trillion, affecting‌ more than 40 million Americans.

The US Ministry ‍of Finance is a possible destination for the loan portfolio.

The executive order ⁤does not specify the​ fate of existing loans or‌ the future of the program.

However, the order compares the debt​ portfolio managed by the Department of Education to that of a bank.

It states that The Department of Education ⁣is ⁣not a‌ financial ⁣institution, ⁢so​ the financial function‌ must ⁤be‍ handed over to institutions⁢ that are more appropriate to serve American students.

Regardless of any changes, borrowers ‍will still be⁢ responsible for repaying​ their ⁢loans.

Republican Opposition to ‌the Department

The dissolution of the Department of Education has⁤ long been a​ goal of⁢ conservative groups.

Republicans have historically opposed the concentration of educational policies at the federal level, advocating for greater state and local control.

Recently, the republican party has accused the Department of​ Education of promoting specific ⁣ideologies⁣ in​ schools.

Supporters also advocate for⁤ expanding school choice, ⁣allowing students and families to use government funds to attend private or religious schools.

Conservative groups argue that the department’s functions should be managed by other agencies, such as the Department of Justice handling civil ⁢rights violations.