Trump signs executive order to eliminate the Department of Education: What does this mean for the future of public schools?

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education (DoE) in front of the cameras on Thursday afternoon, though even he acknowledged that he may not have the authority to do so. The DoE was established by an act of Congress, and constitutional scholars argue that it cannot be eliminated without congressional approval.

During the signing the president said that he hoped Democrats in Congress would vote to support the department’s elimination, noting that “ultimately it may come before them” if the Supreme Court rules that the president is acting outside of his executive authority.

While the president has stated his intention to dismantle the agency and significantly reduce its workforce, some employees appear to be staying on to oversee PELL Grants and protections for students with disabilities. It has not been made clear what agency that work will be carried out under. The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told the press that the move by the president will make the department “much smaller than it is today” adding that “when it comes to student loans and Pell Grants, those will still be run out of the Department of Education."

Meanwhile, in his comments, President Trump said that they would be “shutting it down” quickly.

What does the order do?

The president stated that eliminating the Department of Education was necessary to return control of education to the states, claiming this would lead to improved educational systems. He cited Finland, Denmark, and China as examples. However, he provided no evidence linking this decision to improved outcomes. In fact, in many of the countries he referenced, the national government plays a crucial role in education—setting standards that local municipalities then implement, much like the current U.S. system.

Under today’s order, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is directed to “facilitate the closure of the DoE and return authority over education to the states and local communities.” However, efforts must be made to ensure the continued delivery of services, programs, and benefits that Americans rely on—except for those focused on “diversity, equity, and inclusion” or “promoting gender ideology,” for which all funding must be terminated.

The president’s remarks made it clear that he expects this move to face legal challenges, making it difficult to assess its impact on the future of education while those cases play out. Regardless, the decision represents yet another Republican attack on public education, disguised as an effort to return control over curriculum and administration to the states.

Democrats warn that the move could harm students and educators

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has faced intense criticism from his caucus for providing President Trump with the necessary Senate votes to keep the government open, has condemned the move on social media.

Schumer has defended his decision to support the continuing resolution—which includes major cuts to critical programs and over a billion dollars in funding to Washington, D.C.—by arguing that Trump has not yet crossed the line into full authoritarianism, as he has not defied a Supreme Court ruling. However, many of Schumer’s colleagues contend that eliminating the DoE is yet another example of executive overreach, encroaching on areas where the legislative branch has limited power to intervene.

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