(CBS News) – President Donald Trump is reportedly considering executive action to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, potentially eliminating some programs while shifting others to different government agencies, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. However, these sources indicate that no immediate action is expected.
Reducing the size of the Education Department aligns with Mr. Trump’s broader objective of downsizing the federal government, a goal shared by Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.
Role of the Education Department
The U.S. Department of Education plays a critical role in administering federal financial aid for students and compiling educational data and research. Additionally, it enforces anti-discrimination policies in schools. However, its funding represents less than 10% of overall public school financing, which primarily comes from state and local tax revenues.
The department oversees federal student loan programs, Pell Grants, and vocational training initiatives. It also manages programs designed to assist economically disadvantaged students and those with special needs. Officially, its mission is to promote student achievement and maintain the country’s global competitiveness by ensuring equitable access to education.
Some of these programs were established through federal legislation, making their future uncertain should the department be eliminated or restructured. It remains unclear whether they would be transferred to other agencies or discontinued entirely.
Since abolishing the department would require congressional approval, executive action alone would not be sufficient to dissolve it outright.
Trump’s Longstanding Position on Education
Last Wednesday, Mr. Trump signed an executive order prioritizing federal funding for school choice programs.
During his 2023 campaign, he reiterated his commitment to dismantling the Education Department, stating, “One other thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education and education work and needs back to the states.”
He added, “We want them to run the education of our children because they’ll do a much better job of it.”
Mr. Trump also expressed interest in eliminating the department during his 2016 campaign, but he did not pursue the initiative during his first term.
Nomination of Education Secretary and Legislative Efforts
Linda McMahon, Mr. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, is awaiting Senate confirmation. McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment executive, previously served on the Connecticut State Board of Education.
Meanwhile, conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation has proposed alternative approaches to restructuring federal education programs through its Project 2025 initiative. The proposal suggests transferring responsibilities such as federal student loan administration, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and Title I funding to other departments, including the Treasury, Justice, and Health and Human Services Departments.
Additionally, Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota has introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act, legislation aimed at abolishing the Education Department and shifting certain loan programs to the Department of the Treasury.
Historical Context
The U.S. Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, following the passage of legislation that formally created the agency.