Trump Signs Order to Begin Dismantling U.S. Department of Education

President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, a move that fulfills a key campaign promise and marks a dramatic shift in federal education policy.

Flanked by students and educators at the White House, Trump declared the order the “first step” toward eliminating the department entirely. The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to transfer school policy authority to state and local governments, a long-standing priority for conservatives. However, a full shutdown of the department would require an act of Congress, where Trump currently lacks the votes.

The signing comes just days after the department announced it would lay off nearly half its staff. Trump’s administration has argued the agency is bloated and inefficient, citing stagnant test scores and low literacy rates as justification for major cuts.

The Department of Education currently oversees billions in federal grants to public and private schools, funds programs for students with disabilities, and manages a $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio. While Thursday’s order would retain core functions such as student loan administration and Pell Grants for low-income college students, many other roles may be phased out.