Trump considering executive order to shut down Department of Education: report
New York PostJAN 24
Report: Trump Plans Executive Order to Diminish Education Department
Above: A sign of the US Dept. of Education is seen outside its building on Feb. 4, 2025, in Washington, DC. Image copyright: Alex Wong/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Republican narrative
The Department of Education, created by Jimmy Carter to appease teachers' unions, should be abolished due to its inefficiencies and ideological overreach. Until then, Trump should minimize its scope by reassigning functions, like civil rights to Justice and loans to Treasury, and appoint a secretary who can challenge its anti-American policies. Not only would this align with his promise to return education to the states, but it would also end the DEI programs plaguing American schools.
Democratic narrative
Abolishing the department would cut vital funding like Title I, hurting low-income schools, special education, and nutrition programs. If Trump truly wanted to help school children, he would work to reform the department to reduce bureaucracy, empower local districts with block grants, and improve teacher recruitment with incentives and alternative certification. This would keep essential federal support intact while increasing local control.