Overview

• President Trump has signed a decree directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education, transferring its responsibilities to states.
• The department cannot be fully eliminated without Congressional approval, requiring 60 Senate votes, which Republicans currently lack.
• Key programs, including student grants and funding for disadvantaged schools, are set to be preserved despite the dismantling process.
• The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats, teacher unions, and parents, who argue it threatens public education and increases inequality.
• Legal challenges are anticipated as questions arise about the constitutionality of dismantling a federal agency without Congressional consent.