President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order as soon as Thursday instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, a move that would mark one of the most dramatic overhauls of federal education policy in decades.
A draft of the order reviewed by USA Today directs McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities." However, since only Congress has the power to fully abolish federal agencies, the move is likely to face significant legal and political challenges.
McMahon, who was confirmed by the Senate on Monday, had already signaled the administration's intentions in a memo to agency staff, calling it their "final mission" to end Washington's influence over education. "This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students," she wrote. "I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete, we will be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future."
The White House has not confirmed details of the executive order, and it remains unclear whether the draft version will be the final directive Trump signs.
The proposed dismantling of the Education Department aligns with a longstanding Republican objective dating back to the Reagan administration. Trump made the issue central to his campaign, arguing that the federal government holds too much influence over state and local education policy. He has repeatedly said he wants the department "closed immediately."
The move has already sparked backlash from Democrats and education advocacy groups. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, criticized the plan, pointing to an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll that found 63% of respondents strongly opposed eliminating the department. "Trying to abolish it-which, by the way, only Congress can do-sends a message that the president doesn't care about opportunity for all kids," she said in a statement Thursday. "Maybe he cares about it for his own kids or his friends' kids or his donors' kids-but not all kids."
McMahon has attempted to temper concerns, stating during her confirmation hearing that while restructuring the department would be a priority, critical funding streams such as Pell Grants, federal student loans, and Title I assistance for low-income schools would not be affected. However, education policy experts warn that without a federal oversight body, ensuring compliance with national education laws-including civil rights protections and funding equity-could become significantly more challenging.
The administration has already begun implementing cuts across the Education Department. Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency has terminated millions of dollars in education research contracts, effectively crippling the department's data collection arm. Meanwhile, universities are caught in limbo as the courts consider challenges to proposed reductions in federal research funding, and graduate programs are facing uncertainty due to frozen grant allocations.
The department has also been experiencing administrative turmoil, with layoffs, buyouts, and an exodus of staff. Last week, the department's human resources chief warned of a "very significant" workforce reduction, urging employees to accept a $25,000 buyout offer to resign.
The legal path to dismantling the department remains unclear. Completely eliminating the agency would require congressional approval, including 60 votes in the Senate-an unlikely scenario given the chamber's current makeup. The administration is expected to use executive action to significantly downsize the department and shift responsibilities to other federal agencies or state governments, but the extent of those powers remains untested.
The broader implications of dismantling the department extend beyond education policy. Trump's executive order comes amid an aggressive wave of administrative rollbacks, with the White House pushing to eliminate or restructure multiple federal agencies. The move also coincides with congressional budget negotiations, where Republican lawmakers are expected to push for deep spending cuts in domestic programs.
If Trump proceeds with the order, legal battles are likely to follow. A coalition of education groups and civil rights organizations is expected to challenge the administration's actions in court, arguing that removing federal oversight could violate existing education laws and disproportionately harm disadvantaged students.
