President Donald Trump’s initiative to dismantle the Education Department is proving to be a lengthy and complex process, revealing one of Washington’s worst-kept secrets. Since taking office, Trump has consistently encouraged Linda McMahon, the newly appointed Education Secretary, to consider her role as one that could eventually lead to her being “out of a job.” Shortly after her swearing-in, McMahon emphasized the agency’s “final mission” to its staff, signaling a significant shift in direction.
Critical aspects of Trump’s long-anticipated executive order, including the timing of its signature, have been in a state of flux for several weeks. In a recent Oval Office discussion, Trump expressed his desire to expedite the process, stating, “I want to just do it.” He reiterated his goal of returning control of schools to the states, asserting that “Let the states run the schools” is a priority for his administration.
Recent media reports highlighted a draft of the executive order, which a White House official described as an “incomplete document.” This revelation caused frustration within the administration, leading to the postponement of the announcement originally planned for Thursday. According to sources, Trump is not expected to sign the order this week, causing confusion and concern among both Democrats and some conservative Republicans who have been advising the administration on this directive.
During the Oval Office meeting, Trump also mentioned that the federal government's substantial $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio might eventually be managed by the Small Business Administration, a department previously overseen by McMahon during Trump’s first term. However, such a transition would necessitate congressional approval.
A White House official, who requested anonymity to discuss internal matters, emphasized that the administration is not seeking guidance from Democratic lawmakers. “The president is still committed to this campaign promise, which shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. The American people elected him knowing this would be his intention,” the official stated.
Despite Trump’s commitment, some lawmakers, including key Republicans, voiced their concerns about the plan. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) acknowledged that while she supports some changes, the Department of Education does perform several critical functions. Similarly, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) expressed frustration with the aggressive spending cuts and cautioned against the complete abolition of the department, stating that any significant changes should be made with congressional input.
Democrats and their allies have swiftly condemned the idea of dismantling the Education Department, foreshadowing a more extensive political battle ahead for Trump regarding this contentious proposal, which remains popular among conservative constituents. The Education Department itself has not commented on the situation.
In recent months, the White House has already initiated cuts to research funding, reduced the agency's workforce, and attempted to eliminate diversity programs that have been a focal point of contemporary conservative politics. However, these changes signal only the initial stages of a broader plan that could lead to substantial reductions in the department’s funding.
The draft order that surfaced has undergone significant revisions from earlier versions, according to individuals familiar with the directive. This includes the removal of essential operational language, dates, and deadlines that were present in previous drafts. The White House has opted not to comment on the specifics of the draft order.
There is also ongoing debate among external advisors regarding whether Trump needs to issue a formal order to abolish the Education Department at all. As the situation continues to evolve, Democrats remain vigilant about the potential implications of Trump's plans. Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, remarked during a recent press conference, “Today, the order didn’t come out. It could eventually come out. I almost feel like we got a stay of execution today.”
As the landscape shifts, the future of the Education Department and its role within the federal government remains uncertain, with significant implications for education policy across the nation.
