Trump Signs Executive Order to Begin Dismantling the Department of Education

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday ordering the Education Department to close but still maintain an "uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely."

The Details: A White House summary of the order says it directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take "all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States.”

For Context: Because only Congress can eliminate a federal agency, before the signing, Trump said “The Democrats know it's right, and I hope they're going to be voting for it because ultimately it may come before them.” It will require 60 votes to pass in the Senate. According to the White House, any schools or programs receiving remaining funds from the ED will not be allowed to promote “diversity, equity and inclusion or ‘gender ideology.’” The ED did not have power to control schools’ curriculum prior to this Executive Order.

How the Media Covered It: Fox News (Right bias) cited a Gallup poll showing “only 24% of Americans are satisfied with the quality of education in the U.S. as of January 2025.” USA Today (Lean Left) reported “Trump and other Republicans have often relied on data from the Education Department's research arm,” and that the order has “raised questions about how officials will track school progress after Trump's updates.”