Trump moves to dismantle Department of Education, sparks debate

Trump's order instructs Linda McMahon, the head of the Department of Education, to take all necessary actions to close the department and transfer educational authority to individual U.S. states. Simultaneously, she is to ensure that essential services and programmes are delivered efficiently and without disruption.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump revealed that McMahon is tasked with eliminating her position. He also decided 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stated that taxpayers will no longer have to spend tens of billions of dollars on progressive social experiments and outdated programmes. Schools were also criticised 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 programmes, salaries for teachers who work with children with special needs, funding for arts programmes, and the replacement of outdated infrastructure. It also oversees the expenditure of approximately £1.3 trillion of student loans.

The idea of dismantling the department has circulated in Republican circles for years. However, it was particularly unpopular among the American public. In surveys, the majority of Americans opposed it. That's 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 emphasised: 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 give up 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.

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 emphasise 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.

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.