President of the United States, Donald Trump, shows a firm stance on advancing the plan to disband the Department of Education, despite his administration’s mixed messages. In a ceremony in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump stated his intentions clearly by saying, “We’re trying to get the schools back into the states.” He inaccurately described the department’s role, defining its functions, which include managing federal financial aid, overseeing research, and ensuring schools adhere to anti-discrimination laws.
Though Trump’s administration initially refuted the reports about an imminent announcement regarding the department’s dismantlement, he reaffirmed that plans to reduce the Department’s control are moving forward. This aligns with his broader campaign to downsize the federal government, including reducing the staff and functions of other entities such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Rumors of an executive order hinted at Trump’s method for executing his vision, tasked with Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “wind down” the department according to legal limits. However, there has been immediate backlash from Democrats and concerns over Trump potentially overstepping his executive authority.
The Department of Education, established in the 20th century, has faced conservative criticism for being seen as an obstacle to state rights. It also faces criticism for allegedly promoting a “woke” education system, a claim that has contributed to the push for its closure. While Trump advocates for redistributing federal responsibilities to the states, opponents argue that such a shift could disproportionately affect under-resourced areas.
Legal considerations and public opposition led to the halting of Trump’s plan to issue an executive order on Thursday, highlighting the complex nature of his proposal and the challenges it could pose to educational access and state resources.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/7/trump-sends-mixed-signals-over-the-fate-of-the-department-of-education?traffic_source=rss
