Donald Trump isn’t mincing words. He wants to shut down the US Department of Education—immediately. Calling it a “big con job,” Trump is doubling down on his long-held belief that Washington has no business running schools. His push to dismantle the agency is straight out of his campaign playbook: strip power from the federal government and hand it back to the states.
This move comes as debates over education policy, student debt, and federal oversight heat up. For Trump, the issue isn’t just bureaucratic bloat—it’s about who controls the future of American education. And in his view, it shouldn’t be Washington’s call.
Trump’s vision for education reform
Trump’s calls for the immediate closure of the department also come with a plan to shift power back to the states. He reiterated his promise to send education decisions to states like Iowa, Idaho, and Colorado, emphasizing that local education systems should have the authority to decide how resources are allocated and how curricula are developed. “Education belongs to the states, not Washington,” Trump said, reports the New York Post.
A potential executive order and Musk’s role
In the face of opposition from many educators and lawmakers, Trump hinted at the possibility of issuing an executive order to reduce the Education Department’s scope. The order could move some of its functions to other government agencies, leaving only those duties explicitly required by law. According to the New York Post, this order would require Congressional approval to fully dismantle the department.
To help streamline government services, Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is reportedly slated to evaluate the department for potential cost cuts, much like his previous work with the US Agency for International Development (USAID). “He will be looking at education pretty quickly,” Trump added, as quoted by the New York Post.
Trump’s remarks are poised to spark significant debate, especially with educators’ unions and other advocates voicing concerns about the potential consequences of eliminating federal oversight. Yet, with his goal of curbing federal spending and decentralizing education, Trump remains committed to pushing for change.