President Trump is making a big move to shut down the Department of Education, handing over control to the states.
He’s issued an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start the process of dismantling the department, something conservatives have wanted for decades.
This raises a ton of questions. What happens to federal school funding? Will programs like special education and low-income school support still exist? And can Trump even pull this off legally?
Let’s break it down.
Why Does Trump Want to Kill the Department of Education?
For years, conservatives have argued that education should be left to the states, not the federal government. Trump is taking that idea to the extreme, calling the Department of Education a failed experiment that has spent over a trillion dollars without making a big difference in student success.
The executive order states:
“Controlling American education through federal programs has failed our children.”
McMahon, a Trump loyalist and former WWE executive, agrees. During her confirmation hearing, she said she’d work to make this happen and would push for states to take full control over their schools.
What Happens If the Department of Education Shuts Down?
The big problem? Trump can’t actually shut it down on his own.
The Department of Education was created by Congress in 1979, so legally Congress has to vote to eliminate it. That would require 60 votes in the Senate, which isn’t likely to happen.
But that doesn’t mean Trump can’t gut the department from the inside.
His administration is already slashing budgets, laying off workers, and moving responsibilities to other agencies. Even if the department technically survives, it could be left as a shell of what it was.
Programs That Could Be Affected
The Department of Education controls a lot of funding that schools rely on. If it’s shut down or downsized, some major programs could be at risk:
- Title I Funding – Money that supports low-income schools
- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) – Funding for special education programs
- Federal Student Loans and Grants – Financial aid for college students
McMahon insists these programs won’t be defunded, but she’s suggested moving them to other agencies. That could create chaos, delays, and confusion for schools and students.
Why Some Republicans Are Nervous About This
Not every Republican is cheering for the department to disappear. Some worry that:
- States won’t be able to handle the transition, leading to funding delays and confusion
- Programs meant to help low-income students and those with disabilities could fall through the cracks
- Shutting down a federal agency without a replacement plan is just bad policy
House Republicans have tried to kill the department before and failed. With Democrats controlling enough Senate votes to block this, a full shutdown looks unlikely.
What’s Already Happening?
Even without Congress’s approval, the Trump administration has already started making cuts.
- The Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which researches the best ways to improve schools, has been gutted
- Federal grants for special education students have been canceled
- Hundreds of employees have been laid off, and more are expected to go
This isn’t a small shake-up, it’s a massive restructuring that could change how American schools operate.
What Happens Next?
Trump might not get Congress to shut down the Department of Education completely, but he doesn’t need to.
- More layoffs and budget cuts are coming
- Education programs could be transferred to other agencies
- States will have to figure out how to handle federal responsibilities on their own
Even if the department survives in name, its power is already being stripped away. Schools, teachers, and students are about to feel the impact, whether they’re ready or not.
Trump is taking the most aggressive steps yet to eliminate federal involvement in education. Whether or not he succeeds completely, the Department of Education as we know it is already disappearing.
Now, the real question is: Are states prepared to take over?
