President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling his long-standing promise to return education authority to individual states.
The move, which has been anticipated for months, aims to reduce bureaucratic inefficiency while ensuring that essential programs and services remain uninterrupted.
According to a fact sheet provided by the White House, Education Secretary Linda McMahon has been directed to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure”of the department while maintaining essential educational programs.
Trump’s decision marks a significant policy shift in federal education governance, a move that is expected to reshape how schools operate across the country.
The Department of Education, established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, has been responsible for overseeing federal education policies, distributing funds, and ensuring compliance with national standards.
However, the Trump administration has long argued that education should be a state-led effort, free from federal bureaucracy.
McMahon, who has aggressively pursued reductions in the department’s workforce, recently described these efforts as “the first step toward shutting down the department.”
Under her leadership, nearly 600 employees have voluntarily left, while 1,300 workers were laid off last week.
This leaves the department with roughly half its original workforce, signaling the administration’s commitment to the restructuring effort.
During an interview with Fox News, McMahon reaffirmed her commitment to carrying out Trump’s directive.
“That was the president’s mandate,” she stated.
“His directive to me, clearly, is to shut down the Department of Education, which we know we’ll have to work with Congress to get accomplished.”
She had previously signaled her intent during her Senate confirmation hearing, where she pledged to collaborate with lawmakers to “eliminate bureaucratic bloat” in the department.
In a recent email to employees, she reiterated that the administration was focused on “accomplishing the elimination of bureaucratic bloat here at the Department of Education—a momentous final mission—quickly and responsibly.”
The decision to dismantle the department has sparked intense political debate.
The Senate confirmed McMahon with a 51-45 vote , with no Democrat supporting her appointment.
Meanwhile, Trump’s education reform aligns with his broader push to reduce the size of the federal government, an initiative that has been met with both praise and criticism.
Proponents argue that states are better equipped to handle education, while opponents fear that the absence of federal oversight could lead to inconsistencies in education quality nationwide.
While the executive order sets the stage for closing the Education Department, complete dismantling would require congressional approval.
McMahon has acknowledged this challenge, stating that she will work closely with Congress to ensure a smooth transition.
As Trump prepares to sign the order, the future of education policy in the U.S. remains uncertain.
