U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. He signed the order during an official event on Thursday, March 20.
This move fulfills a key campaign promise, aiming to transfer education-related authority back to state and local governments. According to reports from Al Jazeera and BBC, the decision could face legal and constitutional challenges.
During the signing event, children were seated in a semicircle around Trump, each holding their own copy of the order. As Trump opened his marker to sign, the children followed suit. When he displayed the signed order to the cameras, they did the same.
Before signing, Trump stated, “I am signing an executive order to completely eliminate the federal Department of Education. It may sound strange, but everyone knows it’s the right decision, even the Democrats.”
However, Democrats and education advocates quickly condemned the move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called it “one of the most destructive and disastrous decisions Trump has ever made,” warning that it would harm students nationwide.
The executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to close the department, though congressional approval will be required.
The U.S. Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter to coordinate federal education initiatives. While Republicans have long argued that it undermines state and local school boards, the department does not control curricula or school programs. Instead, it focuses on collecting education data, promoting research, distributing federal aid, and enforcing anti-discrimination policies.