Trump signs order to 'eliminate' US education department: What it means for students

Trump, surrounded by schoolchildren seated at desks arranged in the White House's East Room, smiled as he held up the signed order during a special ceremony.
Since its founding in 1979, the department of education (DoE) has played a pivotal role in administering student loans, supporting students with disabilities and low-income families, and enforcing civil rights in schools. Trump’s action, framed as a bid to return power to the states, reflects long-standing conservative frustration with what they view as federal overreach in education.
While Trump cannot legally abolish the department without Congressional approval, the executive order signals his administration’s intent to cripple it through staff reductions and budget cuts. Backed by tech tycoon Elon Musk’s department for government efficiency (DOGE), the effort has already seen nearly half of the DoE’s workforce laid off. The move has thrilled conservative groups like Moms for Liberty but sparked outrage among educators, civil rights advocates, and Democratic lawmakers who warn that it could undermine protections and funding for millions of vulnerable students.
Here is all you need to know

A: The order directs education secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the department of education and return education authority to the states.” While it does not immediately abolish the department—Congress must approve that—it does instruct the administration to scale back operations and staffing.

A: Trump argued, “We're going to return education back to the states where it belongs,” calling the federal department unnecessary. He also cited falling test scores and high spending as reasons, saying, “It’s doing us no good.” He believes states can run education systems more efficiently, comparing his goal to countries like “Norway, Denmark, [and] Finland.”

A: No. Abolishing a federal agency like the DoE requires an act of Congress. Trump currently lacks the necessary majority to pass such a law. However, he can significantly weaken the department through budget cuts, workforce reductions, and administrative changes.

According to White House press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, “The department of education will be much smaller than it is today.” Some “critical functions”—like Pell Grants, student loans, and funding for students with disabilities—are expected to remain. Trump himself said these “useful functions… will be fully preserved.”

A: Low-income students, students with disabilities, and students in rural or underfunded districts stand to lose the most. Programs like Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act depend on federal oversight and funding. As Katie Paris of Red Wine and Blue said, “There’s a real opportunity people are going to learn how essential the education department is to access public schools if it’s gone.”

A: About 13% of funding for K-12 schools comes from the federal government; the rest is state and locally funded. But that 13% is vital, especially in states that rely heavily on federal dollars—like Mississippi, South Dakota, Montana, and Arkansas.

A: Not entirely. Trump claims US students rank “at the bottom of the list,” but data shows otherwise. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), US students are “above average in reading and close to average in math.” Nat Malkus of the conservative American Enterprise Institute added, “The US ranks in the middle of the pack on most international assessments.”

A: The department’s critics claim it hasn’t closed achievement gaps. But national data shows that since its founding, fourth-grade math scores have increased by 24 points, and reading scores have held steady. Fernando Reimers of Harvard noted, “In the US only 4 percent of total federal spending is devoted to education,” far less than in many peer countries.

A: No. A Reuters/Ipsos poll found that 65% of Americans oppose shuttering the department, with only 30% in support. Democratic pollster John Anzalone argued, “Education is generally popular with voters,” suggesting this could backfire on Trump politically.

A: Conservative advocacy groups like Moms for Liberty and the Heritage Foundation strongly back the decision. “It’s a beautiful day to dismantle the Department of Education,” the Heritage Foundation said on X. Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich added, “I'm very happy about that,” in reference to department cuts.

A: Several lawsuits have already been filed. Senator Patty Murray said, “Donald Trump knows perfectly well he can’t abolish the department of education without Congress.” A previous attempt to dismantle the US Agency for International Development was blocked by a federal judge for likely violating the Constitution.
While the executive order sets the process in motion, full closure of the department will face Congressional scrutiny, potential legal battles, and continued public debate. As Margaret Spellings, George W Bush’s education secretary, put it: “Donald Trump has called the bluff.” Whether that bluff results in full elimination remains to be seen.
(With inputs from agencies)