Trump signs executive order to begin abolishing Department of Education Criticizes federal oversight

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at beginning the process of abolishing the Department of Education.

“In a few moments, I will sign an executive order to begin eliminating the Department of Education once and for all,” Trump stated before signing the document, Caliber.Az reports, referring to international media.

He went on to criticize the state of education in the US, despite high levels of spending: “After 45 years [since the creation of the Department of Education], the United States spends more money on education than any other country and spends more money per student than any other country,” the president said. “Yet we are at the bottom of the list in terms of success.”

Established by the US Congress in 1979, the Department of Education oversees federal funding for public schools, administers student loans, provides low-income student aid, and enforces laws preventing discrimination based on race or gender in schools. However, Trump and many Republicans have accused the agency of promoting “inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material to young people.” They also argue that the primary responsibility for managing schools and shaping curricula should rest with state and local governments, as most education funding comes from those levels.

To fully terminate the Department of Education, Congress must pass a bill to this effect. The proposed bill would require approval from the Republican-controlled Senate, but to succeed, it would need the support of at least seven Democrats—an outcome considered unlikely.

For the 2024 fiscal year, the Department of Education is allocated $238 billion, less than 2% of the total federal budget. The department currently employs approximately 4,400 people, fewer than any other federal agency.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also weighed in on the move, claiming that the Department of Education has failed in its core mission.

“The Department of Education has not educated a single child. It has been stealing taxpayer money for more regulation that hurts education,” Leavitt said. She also pointed out that the federal agency has spent over $3 trillion since its creation in 1979.

By Tamilla Hasanova