Overview

• Education Secretary Linda McMahon met with House Democrats to discuss the Department of Education's downsizing following an executive order by President Trump to dismantle the agency.
• Democrats criticized McMahon for failing to present a clear plan for the department's future, particularly regarding its ability to meet legal obligations after a 50% workforce reduction.
• President Trump has proposed transferring student loan responsibilities to the Small Business Administration and programs for students with disabilities to the Department of Health and Human Services, though no action has been taken yet.
• McMahon walked out of a press conference without answering questions about the timeline for shutting down the department, further fueling concerns about transparency.
• The complete elimination of the Department of Education would require congressional approval, a move unlikely to gain the necessary support in the Senate.