President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a bold move that could shake up the U.S. education system as we know it. Sources familiar with the matter have revealed that Trump may soon sign an executive order directing the secretary of education to begin dismantling the federal Department of Education. Drafts of this order have been making the rounds among top administration officials, and while the exact timing of the signing remains unclear, discussions about the department’s future are actively taking place.
If Trump follows through, this would be an unprecedented step toward fulfilling a key campaign promise—shifting control over education policy back to individual states. However, while the order may call for a roadmap to dissolve the department, sources indicate that it wouldn’t immediately shut down the agency. Instead, the education secretary would be tasked with formulating a plan for its dismantling, followed by congressional action to officially abolish it. Given that such a move would require legislative approval, any Senate vote on closing the department would likely face significant hurdles, especially in the absence of a two-thirds majority.
Why Now?
The push to eliminate the Department of Education is not a new one. Conservative figures, dating back to President Ronald Reagan, have long argued that the agency wields too much influence over local schools while failing to deliver strong academic results. Many Republicans on Capitol Hill have recently renewed their calls to close the department, making it a bicameral effort that aligns with Trump's broader agenda of reducing federal oversight and emphasizing state control.
Trump has previously criticized the department’s budget, citing its more than $20 billion spending in the 2025 fiscal year while failing to produce meaningful improvements in student performance. Reports from The Nation’s Report Card have highlighted declining reading scores and an increasing achievement gap for fourth- and eighth-grade students—statistics that Trump and his allies point to as justification for a major overhaul.
A Ripple Effect on Education Policy
While Trump has already taken significant steps in reshaping education policy—such as signing executive orders defending parental rights, prioritizing universal school choice, and cutting federal funding for K-12 programs he deems “indoctrination”—this latest move could have the most far-reaching consequences yet.
The uncertainty surrounding the future of the Department of Education has understandably left its employees uneasy. Over the weekend, dozens of staff members received notices placing them on administrative leave, fueling concerns about job security and the broader fate of the agency. Some employees, who once viewed their roles as a “dream job,” now worry about whether the department will even exist in the near future.
“It feels like it could happen, so it’s very disturbing,” one employee shared, reflecting on the widespread apprehension among staff members. Trump's rhetoric, which has included frequent threats to shutter the department, has only heightened anxieties within the agency.
The Role of Linda McMahon
A crucial player in this unfolding situation is Trump’s pick for education secretary, Linda McMahon. As of now, she has yet to go through a Senate confirmation hearing, and how she would navigate a potential department shutdown remains a major question mark. Without a confirmed leader at the helm, it’s unclear how—or if—the administration’s plan to dismantle the department would take shape.
While some lawmakers may attempt to push legislation supporting the department’s closure, others are expected to fight against it. The likelihood of a Senate bill passing to eliminate the agency remains slim unless Republicans can rally overwhelming support, making it a battle that will likely unfold over an extended period.
What’s Next?
The future of the Department of Education now hinges on several moving pieces—Trump’s executive action, McMahon’s Senate confirmation, and congressional willingness to move forward with such a dramatic shift in education policy. With Trump’s recent executive orders already sparking intense debates, this latest development is bound to add fuel to the fire.
As this situation continues to evolve, one thing is certain: the conversation around federal involvement in education is far from over. Whether Trump succeeds in dismantling the department or faces major resistance remains to be seen, but for now, his administration is making it clear that the status quo is up for debate.
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