Overview

• President Donald Trump signed a decree on March 20, 2025, instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps toward closing the Department of Education.
• The decree marks a significant step in fulfilling a long-standing conservative goal to reduce federal oversight in education and prioritize state autonomy.
• Full closure of the department requires Congressional approval, which is uncertain due to insufficient Republican seats in the Senate.
• Critics, including Democrats, teacher unions, and parents, warn the move could harm disadvantaged schools and students with learning disabilities by reducing critical federal funding.
• Supporters, such as the Heritage Foundation, praise the decision as a victory for traditional values and fiscal responsibility, though legal challenges to its constitutionality are anticipated.