Trump to Sign Executive Order to Shut Down Department of Education, White House Confirms

U.S. President Donald Trump is set to sign a long-awaited executive order on Thursday to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign promise, according to a White House summary obtained by Reuters.

Legal Challenges Emerge Ahead of Order

Even before its official signing, the executive order is facing legal opposition. A coalition of Democratic state attorneys general has filed a lawsuit to block Trump’s move, aiming to prevent the layoffs of nearly half of the department’s staff, which were announced last week.

Additionally, the NAACP has condemned the order, calling it unconstitutional.

“This is a dark day for the millions of American children who rely on federal funding for a quality education, including those in underserved communities where parents voted for Trump,” said NAACP President Derrick Johnson in a statement.

Trump’s Push to Dismantle Federal Agencies

Trump, alongside his billionaire adviser Elon Musk, has made efforts to shut down various government institutions, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), without congressional approval. However, eliminating the Department of Education marks his most ambitious attempt yet to close a cabinet-level agency.

Despite the executive order, Trump cannot officially dissolve the department without congressional approval. With a 53-47 Republican majority in the Senate, passing legislation to eliminate the department would require 60 votes, meaning support from at least seven Democratic senators—a highly unlikely scenario.

Key Provisions in Trump’s Order

The order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to:

• Take steps to close the Department of Education and return education authority to state governments.

• Ensure continued delivery of essential education services during the transition.

• Eliminate funding for programs promoting DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) and gender ideology.

Education Policy and Funding Implications

Trump has long argued that the Department of Education is unnecessary, calling it “a big con job.” He previously attempted to shut it down during his first term, but Congress failed to act.

The department, which was originally part of the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (1953-1979), plays a crucial role in:

• Overseeing 100,000 public schools and 34,000 private institutions across the U.S.

• Distributing federal grants to support K-12 schools, teacher salaries, special education, arts programs, and infrastructure improvements.

• Managing $1.6 trillion in student loans, aiding millions of students who rely on federal tuition assistance.

Critics argue that dismantling the department could jeopardize tens of billions of dollars in educational funding, disrupt school programs, and push towards a for-profit education model.

What’s Next?

With Senate Democrats showing no support for shutting down the department, Trump's executive order is expected to face intense legal and legislative battles. However, this move reinforces his broader agenda of reducing federal oversight and shifting power back to the states.

(Sources: CNBC, supported by AI)