Trump Signs Executive Order to Begin Dismantling U.S. Department of Education

The directive seeks to transfer educational authority to states, but full closure faces legal and Congressional hurdles.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to reduce the Department of Education's functions and prepare for its closure.
The Department's responsibilities, including federal student loans and grants, may be shifted to other agencies, pending further action.
The full dissolution of the Department requires Congressional approval, which is unlikely due to opposition from Senate Democrats.
Critics, including teacher unions and advocacy groups, warn that the move could harm underfunded schools and students with special needs, exacerbating educational inequality.
Nearly half of the Department's workforce has already been laid off as part of broader federal downsizing efforts led by Trump and advisor Elon Musk.