President Trump to Sign Executive Order Dismantling the Department of Education

"In February, he mentioned that while working with Congress and teachers’ unions to dismantle the agency was an option, he was also prepared to act unilaterally."

President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign promise to return control of education to the states.

The White House confirmed that Trump’s Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, will oversee the department’s closure, ensuring minimal disruption to services. The order also mandates that remaining department funds cannot support Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives or gender ideology programs.

Since its establishment in 1979, the Department of Education has spent over $3 trillion, yet student achievement, as measured by standardized tests, has not improved. The Trump administration argues that federal oversight has failed students, teachers, and parents.

Trump has long criticized the department for what he calls the “indoctrination” of students and has pointed to global education rankings that place the U.S. behind other nations despite leading in per-student spending.

In February, he mentioned that while working with Congress and teachers’ unions to dismantle the agency was an option, he was also prepared to act unilaterally.

McMahon, confirmed as Education Secretary on March 3, reinforced the administration’s stance in her first address to department employees, calling the closure a “momentous final mission” that must be executed “quickly and responsibly.”

The decision is expected to face legal and political challenges, with opponents arguing that eliminating the agency could disrupt federal education programs and funding. However, Trump’s administration insists that shifting power back to the states will improve efficiency and better serve students.

Several Republican governors and state education commissioners will join Trump at the White House for the signing.

Rogue judges are almost certainly going to issue a nationwide injunction. The Trump administration shouldn’t let this stop them.