Trump Set to Sign Executive Order Effectively Ending the Department of Education

President Trump is expected to issue an executive order as early as Thursday to begin dismantling the Department of Education, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal. The move aims to return control of education policy to the states, fulfilling a long-standing conservative goal.

Key Facts:

Trump’s draft executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin shutting down the Department of Education.
The draft states federal control over education has “failed our children, our teachers, and our families.”
Unwinding the department fully would require a 60-vote majority in the Senate, making it a tough political battle.
The Trump administration has already cut department staff, halted civil rights enforcement efforts, and reduced certain grants.
The Education Department, created in 1979, has long been a target for conservatives seeking to reduce federal influence.

The Rest of The Story:

According to the Wall Street Journal Trump’s executive order is set to direct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take the necessary steps to shut down the department “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”

McMahon, confirmed by the Senate just days earlier, acknowledged the move in an internal email, saying the administration’s goal was to send education decisions back to the states.

While the order marks a significant step, dismantling the department entirely would require congressional approval.

Legal experts note that many of its functions, including student loans and funding for students with disabilities, are protected by law.

Without a filibuster-proof Senate majority, a complete shutdown would be difficult.

The administration has already taken steps to limit the department’s influence, including staff reductions, grant cancellations, and curbing certain civil rights initiatives.

Trump’s move follows through on a campaign promise to reduce federal oversight of education.

Exclusive: Trump is expected to issue an executive order aimed at eliminating the Education Department. He could sign it as soon as Thursday. https://t.co/TGXCtEXw9D

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 6, 2025

Commentary:

For decades, Washington’s grip on public education has grown tighter, yet student outcomes have only worsened.

America’s once world-class public school system has been weighed down by bureaucracy, wasteful spending, and a focus on satisfying unions rather than teaching children.

The Department of Education has done little to improve literacy, math proficiency, or overall school quality.

This executive order is an exciting step in the right direction.

Returning education policy to the states allows for more localized decision-making, ensuring that schools can be responsive to the unique needs of their communities rather than adhering to one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington.

However, this fight is far from over.

Democrats and teachers’ unions will likely challenge this move in court, arguing that federal oversight is necessary to protect funding for students with disabilities, civil rights protections, and higher education loans.

Expect legal battles and congressional resistance at every turn.

That said, even if full abolition proves impossible, cutting back the department’s influence would be a victory.

The Trump administration has already demonstrated that much of the agency’s work is unnecessary by reducing staff and halting controversial programs.

Every step toward decentralization weakens the hold of unelected bureaucrats over local schools.

The Bottom Line:

Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Education Department is a bold move that aligns with long-standing conservative efforts to return power to the states.

While legal and political obstacles remain, any reduction in Washington’s control over education is a step toward restoring accountability and improving outcomes for students.

The battle ahead will be fierce, but this marks a significant shift in education policy.