In a significant move amid a gathering of educators and students, President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order aimed at reshaping the federal Department of Education—a step that fulfills a long-standing promise to conservative supporters. The initiative is poised to shift educational decision-making power primarily to states and local boards, a prospect that has raised concerns among advocates for public education.
During the signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House, President Trump remarked, “We’re going to return education, very simply, back to the states where it belongs.” It’s important to note that the complete dissolution of the department would require congressional approval, a challenging feat given that the necessary support is currently lacking.
This latest executive order follows news that the Department of Education plans to lay off nearly half of its workforce. Since taking office roughly two months ago, President Trump has taken decisive actions to overhaul the structure of the federal government, particularly its bureaucratic elements.
Education has long been a contentious topic in the United States, with conservatives advocating for school choice initiatives that benefit private institutions, while progressives generally support funding and programs for public education. These debates intensified during the pandemic, a chasm that Trump effectively leveraged during his campaign.
Indicating his intentions regarding the department’s future, President Trump expressed that he hopes Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who was present at the event, “put herself out of a job.” The executive order is designed to streamline the department’s functions, focusing on essential tasks such as administering student loans, Pell Grants, and resources for children with special needs.
“We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible,” Trump stated resolutely. Notably, while the Republican Party does hold majorities in both chambers of Congress, bipartisan support would be critical for achieving the needed 60 votes in the Senate to close the department entirely.
At the event, President Trump was accompanied by Republican governors including Greg Abbott from Texas and Ron DeSantis from Florida, and he acknowledged the support of conservative advocacy groups like Moms for Liberty.
The Department of Education oversees approximately 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools across the nation. However, over 85% of public school funding originates from state and local levels. This federal department also provides vital grants for underprivileged schools, teacher salaries for those working with special needs students, arts programs, and infrastructure improvements.
Additionally, it manages around $1.6 trillion in student loans for millions of Americans striving to pursue higher education. Prior to the signing, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt cited unsatisfactory literacy rates and testing outcomes among American children as reasons for scaling back the department, which has been in existence since the 1970s.
While President Trump acknowledges the need for support from lawmakers and teachers’ unions to fulfill his pledge to eliminate the department, such backing is absent. “See you in court,” responded Randi Weingarten, head of the American Federation of Teachers, following the announcement.
Senator Patty Murray, a Democrat, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of closing the department without congressional approval, noting that undermining it could lead to similarly detrimental outcomes. Moreover, President Trump has criticized higher education funding and challenged diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that have emerged at various academic institutions throughout the country.
In a related note, Columbia University was given a deadline to respond to requests for stricter controls on campus protests, which have been tied to negotiations over a significant $400 million in suspended federal funding.
Public opinion appears to weigh against the elimination of the federal Department of Education; a recent Reuters/Ipsos poll indicated that approximately 65% of respondents opposed shutting down the department while only 30% supported such a move. The survey, which engaged over 4,100 adults nationwide, has a margin of error of about two percentage points.
Interestingly, federal aid makes up 15% of K-12 education revenue in states that supported Trump in the 2024 election, which is higher compared to the 11% in states that leaned Democratic. The Department of Education administers significant aid programs, including support for low-income schools and special education students, which have received widespread bipartisan backing in the past.
Turning to another topic, President Trump has also signed an executive order aimed at increasing domestic production of critical minerals to reduce U.S. dependence on Chinese suppliers. Details on this executive order remain sparse; however, it is expected to include initiatives for building metals refining facilities on military bases and potentially leveraging national security provisions to drive production.
“I also signed an executive order to dramatically increase the production of critical minerals and rare earths. It’s a big thing in this country,” Mr. Trump commented. The demand for these minerals, essential for various technologies including electric vehicle batteries, is projected to rise significantly in the coming years, making U.S. mining efforts a vital national security concern.
Rich Nolan, president of the National Mining Association, underscored the importance of this initiative, stating, “Ramping up American mining is a national security imperative and President Trump’s strong action recognizes that.” Furthermore, David Copley, a former executive at Newmont, is set to lead the government’s mining policy efforts as part of the National Energy Dominance Council.
In addition to domestic concerns, the U.S. is also expected to announce an agreement on minerals and natural resources with Ukraine soon, further expanding its strategic initiatives on this front.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
