Trump’s Call to Dismantle Education Department Shows His Grip on GOP
Introduction to the Issue
A little more than 23 years ago, Republican President George W. Bush sat at a desk at a high school in Hamilton, Ohio, and signed a law that would vastly expand the role of the Education Department and transform American schooling. On Thursday, his Republican successor, President Donald Trump, signed a very different document — this one an executive order designed to dismantle the department.
Historical Context of the Education Department
For years, as right-wing activists called for eliminating the agency, many Republicans paid lip service to the cause but still voted to fund it. Now Trump, emboldened and unapologetic in his drastic remaking of the federal government, has brushed aside concerns that deterred his predecessors. Thursday’s announcement follows other aggressive decisions, including the enlistment of billionaire Elon Musk to downsize the federal bureaucracy at startling speed, or the review of scientific findings that are foundational for fighting climate change.
Alejandra Rodriguez, 9, of Key Largo, Fla., watches as college students protest in support of the Department of Education, Thursday, March 20, 2025, outside the department in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Trump’s Stance on the Education Department
Dismantling the Education Department was always high on Trump’s list. He talked about it repeatedly during his campaign, often to cheers from his supporters, including the conservative group Moms for Liberty. But despite telegraphing his goals, Trump’s executive order was a stunner, even for a president who thrives on audacity. Margaret Spellings, education secretary under Bush, said she was indeed surprised he was following through on his campaign vow.
Reactions to the Executive Order
For years, Spellings said, talk of about eliminating the department was a way for Republicans to signal their adherence to party orthodoxy, even as they voted to send billions of dollars to support its mission. Much of that money ended up at schools in their own districts, funding extra teachers for impoverished schools, for example. As recently as 2023, 60 House Republicans voted against a bill to close the department. “It was always a little bit of a wink and a nod deal,” Spellings said. “Donald Trump has called the bluff.”
The Path Forward
Trump, in remarks at the White House, said: “People have wanted to do this for many, many years, for many, many decades. And I don’t know, no president ever got around to doing it. But I’m getting around to doing it.” He held the executive order up for photos while standing next to Education Secretary Linda McMahon. He’s joked that he’ll need to find another job for her once her department is gone. President Donald Trump holds up an executive order in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, March 20, 2025.(AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Legal and Congressional Challenges
The executive order is likely to get mired in legal challenges, and members of Congress on both sides of the aisle said closing the department can’t move forward without their approval. But Trump, through the Department of Government Efficiency, has already shrunk the department’s imprint, moving to eliminate about half of its staff.
History of the Education Department
The first talk of eliminating the department came just a year after its formation from President Ronald Reagan, who opposed its efforts to integrate schools. However, calls to get rid of the new department fell out of favor by the end of Reagan’s first term. By the time George W. Bush became president, it was seen as a vehicle to implement his policy vision of a federal government that required states to closely monitor student progress, and hold schools accountable that fell short.
The Role of the Tea Party and COVID-19
Calls to eliminate the department reemerged with the Tea Party, whose adherents made it a symbol of bloated bureaucracy that usurped power that belonged to local governments. The most recent push to close the department emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, when right-leaning parents, infuriated by what they saw as unnecessary school closures, began arguing that the government was indoctrinating their children.
Impact on Schools and Communities
Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, was in the White House audience and was recognized by Trump in his remarks. She said the department allowed teacher unions to exert undue influence over schools, a problem that became more apparent while schools were closed and students were learning over Zoom. “The American people woke up and recognized the fact there were a lot of people that were making decisions that were not in the best interest of their children,” she said.
Potential Consequences
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who as a young lawmaker voted for the 1979 bill to create the department, praised Trump’s move and argued the agency has not accomplished its original mission. “It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Gingrich said of backing Democratic President Jimmy Carter, his fellow Georgian, in a 215-201 vote. Two generations later, Gingrich argued, “If you take what the scores were then and how much we were spending on education then and compare it now, it’s impossible to escape the reality that it’s been an abject failure.”
Education and Civil Rights
For all the talk of overreach, federal law explicitly bars the federal government from telling schools what to teach their students. Day-to-day operations of schools are largely handled by state and local authorities. And while Trump has talked about eliminating the department, he envisions a more muscular role for the federal government in schools, moving swiftly and aggressively to punish schools that do not fall in line with the administration’s interpretation of civil rights laws.
Potential Backlash
Advocates and Democratic strategists have warned that Trump’s efforts could backfire with voters. According to recent polling, six out of ten registered voters oppose the closure of the department. Democratic pollster John Anzalone, who has worked for multiple presidential campaigns, including Joe Biden’s 2020 victorious effort over Trump, said the president’s moves are a base pleaser likely to backfire for Republicans with the broader electorate.
Conclusion
The move to dismantle the Education Department reflects Trump’s grip on the GOP and his willingness to push for drastic changes in the federal government. While the executive order is likely to face legal and congressional challenges, it has sparked a heated debate about the role of the federal government in education. As the country moves forward, it remains to be seen how this decision will impact schools, communities, and the future of education in America.
FAQs
- What is the purpose of the executive order signed by President Trump?
The executive order is designed to dismantle the Education Department. - What has been the historical context of the Education Department?
The Education Department was formed to integrate schools and has undergone various changes over the years, with some calling for its elimination. - How might the closure of the Education Department affect schools and communities?
The closure could lead to a disruption in federal funding, which could hit schools in states that rely heavily on federal dollars the hardest. - What are the potential consequences of Trump’s move?
The move could backfire with voters, as six out of ten registered voters oppose the closure of the department. - What is the role of the federal government in education?
The federal government plays a role in monitoring student progress and holding schools accountable, but day-to-day operations are handled by state and local authorities.
