Trump had long promised that dismantling the US Department of Education would be a key priority, framing it as part of a broader effort to bring “efficiency” to government operations. Now, with the help of Elon Musk’s DOGE-backed task force, that promise is being rapidly realized. On Tuesday, Musk’s team stormed into the Education Department, swiftly cutting programs and terminating contracts, moves that have left agency workers terrified and Democrats outraged.
Musk’s DOGE Army, a group of tech-savvy cost-cutters, has already saved over $900 million by slashing grants and eliminating federal contracts. But while Republicans applaud the aggressive push to curb what they call government waste, Democrats are warning that the actions may be illegal and could irreversibly damage American education policy.
So, what exactly happened? And what does this mean for the future of the Department of Education?
Earlier this week, Musk-backed operatives, dubbed as DOGE Army, stormed into the Department of Education and began executing drastic cost-cutting measures, saving over $900 million. According to NBC News, two key members of Musk’s DOGE team, Akash Bobba and Ethan Shaotran, both 22 years old, already had access to the department before the takeover.
Reports indicate that up to 16 DOGE members have entered the premises, and the agency is now being systematically “ripped apart.” This radical restructuring is reportedly being carried out under the direction of Trump, who has long criticized the Education Department as a breeding ground for liberal bureaucrats.
What are officials saying about the takeover?
Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-MD) described the environment inside the agency as one of fear and uncertainty. She stated in an interview with HuffPost, “They are in the building, on the 6th floor, canceling grants and contracts. It’s not legal. They know it’s not legal. But they’re doing it anyway. The only recourse we have right now is to go to the courts.” Stansbury went further, predicting that the department could be fully dissolved in the coming days.
Why was the education department targeted?
Dismantling the Department of Education has been a long-standing goal of Trump and many Republicans, who argue that it has become a hub for liberal activism. Trump himself campaigned on the promise of eliminating the department and redirecting its funding back to individual states.
By bringing in Musk’s DOGE team—known for their aggressive cost-cutting initiatives—Trump is moving swiftly to gut the department. According to Semafor, he plans to sign an executive order directing all federal agencies to collaborate with DOGE under a new “workplace optimization initiative.”
What policies and contracts have been terminated?
In just a short period, the DOGE team has already taken drastic actions, including canceling 89 Education Department contracts, saving approximately $881 million. Further, eliminating 29 training grants for DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs, resulting in an additional $101 million in savings.
This aligns with Musk’s broader push to eliminate what he considers bureaucratic waste in federal agencies.
What’s next for federal agencies in the US
With Musk’s team now embedded in federal agencies, experts predict continued clashes between Republicans and Democrats over the fate of government institutions. House Speaker Mike Johnson has openly supported Musk’s efforts, stating in a press conference, saying, “What Elon and the DOGE effort is doing right now is what Congress has been unable to do in recent years because the agencies have hidden some of this from us.” Meanwhile, House Democrats have formed a special task force to combat these measures, co-chaired by Reps. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Jamie Raskin (D-MD).
As both sides dig in, the fate of the Department of Education remains uncertain. Will the courts intervene to stop the dismantling, or will Musk and Trump succeed in reshaping federal governance? The coming days will determine just how much power an unelected billionaire and his DOGE Army truly hold over American institutions.
