Overview

• President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on March 20, 2025, initiating the closure of the Department of Education.
• The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to dismantle the department and transfer authority to individual states.
• The closure aligns with long-standing Republican goals and fulfills a key campaign promise by Trump.
• Critics warn the move could harm disadvantaged students by reducing federal funding for schools with limited resources and special needs programs.
• Congressional approval is required for the department's full dissolution, with bipartisan support unlikely given current legislative dynamics.