Trump Administration Targets U.S. Department of Education for Reduction or Elimination

Efforts to scale back the department's role and civil rights enforcement raise legal and political challenges.

President Donald Trump has expressed intentions to scale down and potentially abolish the U.S. Department of Education, requiring congressional approval for full elimination.
Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon echoed these goals during her recent Senate confirmation hearing.
The department's primary functions include funding special education, low-income student programs, and federal student aid, as well as enforcing civil rights laws in schools and universities.
A recent 'Dear Colleague' letter from the department's Office for Civil Rights warns schools against diversity programs perceived to use race-based criteria, citing the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.
Critics argue the administration's interpretation of civil rights law is legally questionable and could discourage schools from pursuing diversity initiatives.