Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday to begin dismantling the Department of Education, a long-held conservative goal to return control of schools to individual states.
At a White House ceremony, Trump, joined by schoolchildren and Republican leaders, declared the move would “shut it down as quickly as possible.” Education Secretary Linda McMahon was directed to oversee the closure.
While Congress must approve a full shutdown, the order allows for drastic funding and staffing cuts. Critics, including Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, condemned it as a “tyrannical power grab.” Supporters, such as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, praised the decision.
The move aligns with Trump’s broader government overhaul, backed by billionaire advisor Elon Musk. Some federal education functions, including student loans, may remain. The Heritage Foundation hailed the decision, calling it “a beautiful day to dismantle the Department of Education.”
