President Donald Trump is expected to take executive action to scale back the Department of Education, marking a significant step in his administration’s effort to reduce the federal government’s role in education policy.
According to reports, the executive order will direct the department to begin downsizing, though fully abolishing the agency would require congressional approval. The move aligns with Trump’s campaign promise to reform federal education policy and return more control to states and local governments.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group led by Elon Musk, has been evaluating the Education Department’s budget and operations. Some members of the group have reportedly accessed internal systems, fueling speculation that deep cuts are on the horizon.
House Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg of Michigan has acknowledged that fully eliminating the department would be difficult but has suggested that Republicans may focus on limiting its authority instead. In 2023, an effort to abolish the department failed in Congress, highlighting the challenges of completely dismantling the agency.
The Trump administration’s approach will likely involve transferring responsibilities to other agencies or state governments. While some functions of the department are legally mandated, others could be reassigned without congressional approval. The timing of the executive order remains uncertain, with some officials believing the administration may wait until Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon is confirmed.
This effort is part of a broader initiative to reshape the federal government. The Department of Education joins other agencies currently being reviewed for cost-cutting and restructuring as the Trump administration pushes to reduce bureaucracy and streamline government operations.
