President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that will initiate the dismantling of the Department of Education, a move aimed at returning full control of education policy to states and local communities. The order, once signed, will mark a major step in Trump’s long-standing pledge to reduce federal overreach in schools and ensure that parents and teachers—not Washington bureaucrats—determine how American children are educated.
What the Executive Order Will Do
The planned executive order will direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin phasing out federal oversight in education by:
- Reallocating funding and responsibilities directly to states, allowing them to design education policies that fit their own unique needs.
- Ending federal mandates that dictate curriculum, testing, and administrative policies.
- Shifting focus to school choice initiatives, giving parents greater freedom to choose the best education options for their children.
Trump has long criticized the Department of Education as bloated and ineffective, arguing that it has done more harm than good by centralizing power in Washington and imposing leftist-driven policies on schools across the country.
“For too long, unelected bureaucrats have dictated what children are taught, how teachers do their jobs, and how schools operate,” Trump stated earlier this year. “Education decisions should be made at the state and local level, where parents and communities have a real say.”
Congressional Battle Ahead
While Trump’s executive order will begin the process, completely dismantling the Department of Education requires congressional approval. The department was created by Congress in 1979, meaning legislation must be passed to fully abolish it.
With Republicans controlling 53 Senate seats, the effort is likely to face strong opposition from Democrats, who have already vowed to fight against it. However, with growing Republican support and increasing demand from conservative voters to dismantle leftist influence in schools, pressure will mount on Congress to act.
Democrats and Unions Fight Back
As expected, Democratic leaders, teachers’ unions, and left-wing advocacy groups are already rallying against the move, claiming that eliminating the department would “harm” students. Teachers’ unions have been one of the biggest obstacles to reform, blocking school choice initiatives while pushing radical, politically driven curriculum changes into classrooms.
A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general and education activist groups have signaled plans to challenge the executive order in court, attempting to delay or block the process.
What’s Next?
Once Trump signs the order, the administration will begin working with Congress to push through legislation to permanently dismantle the Department of Education. This will set the stage for one of the biggest education policy battles in modern American history—a fight between those who believe in state and parental control of education and those who want Washington to dictate every aspect of schooling.
One thing is certain: Trump’s move to dismantle the Department of Education is shaking up the system, forcing a national conversation on who really controls America’s schools. The fight for local control, school choice, and educational freedom is now front and center.