Trump takes aim at Education Department, faces congressional hurdle
Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The President announced the transfer of educational responsibilities to the states and the cessation of funding for programs promoting diversity and gender ideology. He assured that the children's well-being would not be adversely affected.
Trump's order instructs Linda McMahon, head of the Department of Education, to take all necessary actions to close the department and transfer educational authority to individual U.S. states. She is also to ensure that essential services and programs are delivered effectively and without disruption.
Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced that McMahon is tasked with eliminating her position. He also declared that the remaining funds for the Department of Education cannot be used to promote DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) or gender ideology.
The White House stated that taxpayers will no longer need to spend tens of billions of dollars on progressive social experiments and outdated programs. Schools were also criticized for promoting radical, left-wing ideas.
The Department of Education oversees about 100,000 public schools and 34,000 private schools in the U.S., although over 85% of public school funding comes from state and local authorities.
The Department provides, among other things, federal grants for schools and programs, salaries for teachers who work with children with special needs, funding for arts programs, and the replacement of outdated infrastructure. It also oversees the expenditure of approximately $1.6 trillion CAD on student loans.
Trump needs Congress
The idea of dismantling the department has circulated in Republican circles for years, though it was particularly unpopular with the American public. In surveys, most Americans opposed it. This is why many commentators and opposition politicians did not believe that Donald Trump and the Republicans would take such a drastic step.
In a poll conducted at the end of February (NPR, PBS News, and Marist), 63% of Americans surveyed expressed opposition to the department's liquidation, while 37% were "in favour."
It must be emphasized: the President cannot dissolve the department based solely on an executive order; he needs Congress's support. A bill for liquidation must be passed by a vote of 60 senators, and Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate.
Democrats are unlikely to abandon this fight easily. Last week, a group of Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block the department's dismantling and the layoff of nearly half of its staff.
According to Trump, the Department of Education is a "huge scam"
Trump has repeatedly called for the department's elimination, describing it as a "huge scam." He proposed its closure during his first presidential term, but he did not issue such a clear executive order at that time, and Congress did not take such actions. Republicans have long sought at least to reduce the department's funding and influence.
American media emphasize that changes introduced by Trump may affect students in the poorest districts. Federal subsidies for such schools and aid for children with learning difficulties may be at risk.
Dismantling the department: What's next?
Linda McMahon assured that federal funding for schools, allocated by Congress to support low-income districts and students, will continue. Student loans and services for children with disabilities are also to be maintained.
