Has it really happened? Has President Donald Trump abolished the Federal Department of Education through an executive order? Can he really do that?
Donald Trump mentioned several times throughout his campaign that if elected, he would take steps to abolish the Department of Education (DOE). This a promise that excited some voters and horrified others. It is important to note that closing the DOE is not a new idea–it is a policy position taken by many Republican politicians since the 1980s. Ever since the establishment of the DOE by President Jimmy Carter in 1979, there has been debate surrounding its existence and whether the department should continue to operate. Shortly after, in his 1980 campaign for president, Ronald Reagan called for the dismantlement of the newly established Department of Education. Ever since Reagan, the policy position that the DOE should be abolished is one largely supported by the Republican party.
On Thursday March 20, 2025, Donald Trump signed an executive order titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States and Communities”. This is the executive order, that if put into effect, would close the Department of Education.
Trump’s Executive Order
The order begins by explaining the shortcomings of the department and why dismantling the department would be a justified step to take. The order claims that the DOE has failed both parents and children, citing low test scores as evidence for this failure. The order notes that in the most recent National Assessment of Educational Progress showed that 70 percent of 8th graders were not proficient in reading and 72 percent were not proficient in math. The argument here is that if the DOE’s main purpose is to ensure that Americans get quality education, then the poor academic performance of students is evidence that they are failing to do so.
The order also discusses issues surrounding the funding of the department. The order claims that taxpayers are being forced to spend too much on education at a federal level and that that amount is only expected to increase. The order also notes that the DOE is not equipped to properly manage the $1.6 trillion in student loan debt that they currently are in charge of. This program is managed by only 1,500 employees. Trump believes that the DOE is operating as a bank when it is not one and that these bank-like functions should be handled by a different entity. Trump stated on the 21st that the Small Business Administration would be taking over this function.
These are the main reasons stated for closing the department. Trump ordered the Secretary of Education, Linda Mcahon. to take all necessary steps to close the department while also complying with federal laws. The secretary was instructed to return authority over education to state and local governments while also ensuring that the delivery of services and benefits remain uninterrupted.
At the signing of this order Trump stated that “useful functions” of the department would be preserved such as Pell Grants, Title I funding and programs for students with disabilities. These functions will be redistributed to other departments. Republicans are assuring Americans that just because they are eliminating the department does not mean that they are eliminating the services that many Americans need.
So, what does closing DOE actually mean? What are the immediate and long-term effects of this action? The answer to this question is by no means clear, it is difficult to predict what shutting down this department will look like for the average America.
Potential Positive and Negative Effects
Those who support the ending of the DOE say that shifting control away from the federal government and giving that control to state and local governments will allow for better policies. State governments will be able to create policies that best serve their constituents, different states and communities can structure their education systems to fill the specific needs of those who will be affected. This decentralization will allow individuals, specifically parents, to have a voice in how children are educated, because it is much easier to influence change on a state and local government than at a federal level. Supporters also claim that removing federal oversight will encourage innovation and competition of education systems. They also believe that eliminating the DOE will save money at a federal level.
Those who oppose the elimination of the DOE believe that the oversight provided by the DOE is essential for ensuring that students of all backgrounds have equal access to education and without this oversight, students from marginalized groups may lose access. They fear that if states are responsible for making their own policies, they may not all make good policy decisions meaning that not all children will be receiving the same quality of education. They also note that there are many states that rely heavily on federal funding to maintain public schools, if the DOE is dismantled there is a possibility that these states will no longer receive the necessary funds to keep these schools open. Another concern is that there may be a negative impact on student loan programs, that those who owe will not be able to make payments because they will not even know who it is that they must pay.
Many Americans are asking: Can the president really shut down an entire department? The answer to this is no, he cannot. The Department of Education cannot be shut down without the approval of Congress. Donald Trump can limit the responsibilities and authorities of the DOE, but he cannot simply throw it out. It is unclear whether Congress will support this move from Trump, but until they do, the DOE will remain.
There will surely be a lot of movement on this issue over the next weeks and months, it is not likely that the Trump administration will be able to smoothly decentralize power. It will be interesting to see whether Congress will support this action and what legal action will be taken against this order. This action will certainly result in political conflict and all most Americans can do is watch.