On Thursday, US President Donald Trump signed an order aimed at shutting down the Department of Education, a goal long pursued by the American right, which advocates for state-controlled schools free from federal influence.
Surrounded by schoolchildren in the White House East Room, Trump smiled as he held up the signed order, declaring it would “begin eliminating the federal Department of Education once and for all.”
Trump emphasized, “We’re going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible. It’s doing us no good,” while pledging to return control of education to the states.
Although the Department of Education, created in 1979, cannot be completely dissolved without Congress’s approval, Trump’s order could effectively cut off its funding and staff.
This move marks one of the most drastic actions in Trump’s broader government overhaul, supported by tech tycoon Elon Musk and the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The decision has been heavily criticized by Democrats and educators. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned it as a “tyrannical power grab,” calling it “one of the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken.”
Republican leaders, including Governors Ron DeSantis of Florida and Greg Abbott of Texas, were present at the signing ceremony.
Trump framed the move as necessary to save money and improve the country’s educational standards, which he claims are falling behind Europe and China.
