U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday to initiate the dismantling of the Department of Education, according to a White House announcement. The move, a campaign promise of the president, is already facing legal challenges from opponents seeking to block the department’s closure and recent widespread staff cuts.
The executive action will direct U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the states,” as outlined in a White House fact sheet. Trump is expected to sign the order during a ceremony attended by the Republican governors of Texas, Indiana, Florida, and Ohio.
The decision follows months of anticipation after the White House first signaled its intentions in early February. The administration delayed the move until after McMahon’s Senate confirmation. The announcement comes more than a week after the Trump administration began significant layoffs at the department, reducing its workforce by nearly half.
Massive Staff Reductions and Legal Hurdles
When Trump took office, the Department of Education employed 4,133 people. Since then, nearly 600 employees have resigned or retired, and an additional 1,300 workers were informed last week that they would lose their jobs as part of a broader reduction in force. The department now has approximately 2,183 staff members, a sharp decline from just a few weeks ago.
While Trump has long advocated for eliminating the department—a goal shared by some conservatives—the complete dissolution of the agency would require congressional approval. This is seen as unlikely, given the Republican Party’s narrow 53-47 majority in the Senate. Major legislative actions, such as closing a federal department, typically require 60 votes to pass.
A White House spokesman stated on Wednesday that the executive order aims to “expand educational opportunities” and “empower parents, states, and communities to take control and improve outcomes for all students.”
Role of the Department of Education
Established in 1979, the Department of Education oversees federal funding for public schools, administers student loan programs, and runs initiatives to support low-income students. Trump has criticized the department, accusing it of “indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material.”
However, a common misconception is that the department operates U.S. schools or sets curricula. In reality, these responsibilities fall to state and local governments. Federal funds account for only about 13% of primary and secondary school funding, with the majority coming from state and local sources.
The department also plays a critical role in managing federal student loans, which millions of Americans rely on to finance higher education. Its potential closure raises questions about how these programs would be administered in the future.
As the administration moves forward with its plans, the executive order is expected to face significant opposition from lawmakers, educators, and advocacy groups, setting the stage for a contentious battle over the future of federal education policy.