Fri Mar 21 12:03:23 UTC 2025: **Trump Issues Executive Order to Eliminate Department of Education; Congressional Approval Uncertain**

WASHINGTON D.C. – President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aiming to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise. The order, titled “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” cites declining student performance as justification, referencing 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) data showing a significant portion of 8th graders scoring below proficiency in reading and math. However, critics point out that NAEP data reveals long-term stagnation rather than a recent sharp decline.

The executive order directs Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to oversee the department’s closure. While the order assures the continued delivery of student loans and grants, it proposes transferring the department’s functions to state governments and other federal agencies. The $1.69 trillion in outstanding student loan debt highlights the scale of the potential transition.

The move faces significant hurdles. The Department of Education, established in 1979, is a cabinet-level agency responsible for distributing federal aid, collecting educational data, enforcing civil rights laws, and overseeing national education policy. Its elimination requires congressional approval, a prospect deemed unlikely by many.

Already, the Trump administration has significantly reduced the department’s workforce, cutting it nearly in half since the president’s inauguration. This reduction is occurring alongside broader federal workforce cuts.

While some Republican members of Congress, such as Senator Bill Cassidy, have voiced support for the president’s initiative, the legislation needed to shut down the department faces an uphill battle. Previous votes in the House of Representatives showed bipartisan opposition, with even a significant number of Republicans voting against closure. Securing the necessary 60 votes in the Senate, where Republicans hold only 53 seats, appears highly improbable.

Opponents, including the American Council on Education, have condemned the order as “political theater,” arguing that it prioritizes partisan goals over improving education. They maintain that the department plays a vital role in supporting American students and enforcing critical civil rights protections. The long-term impact of this executive order, therefore, remains highly uncertain, pending Congressional action.

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