- President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order Thursday to begin closing the Department of Education. The order would direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin transferring its programs to other departments.
- Teachers unions oppose the closure, arguing it could jeopardize federal funding for low-income and disabled students. Trump argues local control of education would benefit states and parents.
- A recent poll shows 63% of overall respondents oppose the idea of nixing the Education Department.
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President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order Thursday, March 20, that would start the process of closing the Department of Education. The White House says the order would direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps toward dismantling the agency and transferring its essential programs to other government departments.
Closing the department would require Congress
While Trump is expected to take the first step toward closing the Department of Education Thursday, Congress would have the final say. Eliminating the department would require 60 votes to break a filibuster in the Senate, where Republicans hold 53 seats.
The administration cannot unilaterally abolish the Department of Education, though it can reduce its staff and cut programs it deems inefficient. McMahon has already initiated such steps, including a workforce reduction. Several staff members from the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are also working with the agency to reduce costs.
Opposition from teachers unions
Teachers’ unions oppose the idea, arguing that closing the department could jeopardize federal education funding. They point to grant programs that benefit low-income students and students with disabilities.
In a statement earlier this month, the American Federation of Teachers said the Department of Education should remain.
“The Department of Education, and the laws it is supposed to execute, has one major purpose: to level the playing field and fill opportunity gaps to help every child in America succeed. Trying to abolish it — which, by the way, only Congress can do — sends a message that the president doesn’t care about opportunity for all kids.”
Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers President
Republicans push for change
Trump has long criticized the Department of Education. He argues that education policy should be decided locally rather than at the federal level. Trump said in February, “What I want to do is let the states run schools.”
Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a bill in January to eliminate the Department of Education.
“Unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C., should not be in charge of our children’s intellectual and moral development,” Massie said. “States and local communities are best positioned to shape curricula that meet the needs of their students. Schools should be accountable.”
How Americans feel about dismantling the DOE
The debate over the Department of Education is politically polarizing. According to a poll conducted this month by NPR/PBS News/Marist, 65% of Republicans support eliminating the department, while 87% of Democrats oppose it. Overall, 63% of respondents were against the idea of getting rid of the Education Department.
