Trump Signs EO Dismantling U.S. Department of Education

Thursday, March 20, 2025

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. The Education Department oversees the country's $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, provides funding to low-income students and enforces civil rights across the country. Only Congress can unilaterally eliminate the Education Department. But the Trump administration can starve the agency of resources.

Posted by lee_the_agent at 04:55 PM | 50 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Today, Trump is dismantling much of the Department of Education. He has ordered wrestling executive-turned-Education Secretary Linda McMahon to shut most of her department.
But there's a much larger story here. robertreich.substack.com/p/trumps-att...[image or embed]
— Robert Reich (@rbreich.bsky.social) March 20, 2025 at 7:48 PM

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Return education to the States, the slush fund is closed.

#1 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-03-20 04:59 PM | Reply

"Return education to the state so we can teach about how great the confederacy was and how Black people haven't contributed to America! Yeehaw!"
-Brain dead Trumpers

#2 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-20 05:01 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Return education to the States, the slush fund is closed.

Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-03-20 04:59 PM | Reply

Your ignorance is showing big time. You're going to hurt the poorer red states the most by doing this. Of course you're just a follower of Trump's so it's to be expected I suppose.

#3 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-03-20 05:04 PM | Reply

Your ignorance is showing big time.

He's the product of homeschooling.

#4 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-20 05:05 PM | Reply

"Return education to the States"

It's already with the States.
It's always been with the States.
Why don't you know these basic facts about how America works?

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 05:08 PM | Reply

"President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education."

It took an Act of Congress to create the Department of Education.
It should take an Act of Congress to destroy the Department of Education.
Isn't that how our government works, Republicans?

#6 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 05:09 PM | Reply

"You're going to hurt the poorer red states the most by doing this."

That's the point.
That's where most of the black children are.

#7 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 05:10 PM | Reply

Actually Snoofy, I'm public school trash and a went to a private college where half was paid for by academic scholarship. But I appreciate the vote of confidence!

#8 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-03-20 06:03 PM | Reply

Wrong thread?

#9 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 06:05 PM | Reply

While I support this from a practical standpoint ED was created by Congress which means dismantling it requires a bill to be passed and signed.

This EO will get smacked down in the courts. Hard. Trump will have egg on his face. Cheer up, Democrats. Your party is an absolute disaster right now but if this administration keeps doubling down on unforced errors like tariffs and this and being the party of "Not Trump" may be enough in 2026 and 2028.

#10 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-03-20 06:14 PM | Reply

"While I support this from a practical standpoint"

Any particular, practical reason you want massive cuts to education spending?

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 06:18 PM | Reply

BullBringer, like most Trump supporters, hates that any portion of his taxes go to educate Brown and Black people.

#12 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-20 06:23 PM | Reply

Spending money on education hasn't worked as well as we had hoped...

I know. Let's reduce spending by half!

It's the spending that is ruining education.
Signed,
Republicans

#13 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 06:32 PM | Reply

Since the ED was created all student performative metrics have gone down.

#14 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-03-20 06:32 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Any particular, practical reason you want massive cuts to education spending?
#11 | Posted by snoofy

It doesn't work in the US for some reason.

The US spends $15,000->$20,387 per pupil per year depending upon the survey?

How much more does it need to spend to get to the bottom.
I find it interesting supposedly "educated" people equate more spending with better outcomes.

WHEN has that ever been the case?

Healthcare -> NO
Education -> NO
Military -> NO
High Speed Rail -> NO

Can you give me a case where this is true? Where government spending increasing has led to better outcomes?

#15 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-20 06:35 PM | Reply

"Since the ED was created all student performative metrics have gone down."

Long time readers, you know what comes next!

Please tell us, what has happened to the quintile distribution of household income since the Department of Education was created?

#16 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 06:35 PM | Reply

Since the ED was created all student performative metrics have gone down.

#14 | Posted by BellRinger

It is incredible, at the same time spending has increased to astronomical amounts.

#17 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-20 06:36 PM | Reply

Its not a money problem, incentives are messed up.

#18 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-20 06:36 PM | Reply

" Please tell us, what has happened to the quintile distribution of household income since the Department of Education was created?

#16 | POSTED BY SNOOFY AT 2025-03-20 06:35 PM | FLAG: "

You just unwittingly made an argument for dismantling it.

#19 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-03-20 06:44 PM | Reply

Please tell us, what has happened to the quintile distribution of household income since the Department of Education was created?

Please tell me what is the relevance in regards to spending on education.

Households got smaller due to divorces in the US after the 70s. Are you claiming divorces and single parent families caused education to collapse?

substackcdn.com

I doubt it.... US spends its money on "administrators", not education, for every dollar spent more and more went to administrators over time.

https://www.fishbowlapp.com/post/administrative-staff-have-increased-in-number-by-88-since-2000- while-students-and-teachers-have-increased-by-8-over-the

#20 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-20 06:48 PM | Reply

The US spends $15,000->$20,387 per pupil per year depending upon the survey?

Welcome to stupid people logic.

Let's see the breakdown of how you came to such a conclusion.

Based on actual evidence, no money is making it to the schools. I wouldn't be surprised if it's all getting misappropriated by republicans.

#21 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-03-20 07:07 PM | Reply

What argument did I make, exactly?

"Since 1975, practically all the gains in household income have gone to the top 20% of households."

Use your Special Libertarian Powers to tell us how our recent economic history advocates for:

"We must end Federal funding for Education."

#22 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 07:09 PM | Reply

Lewzer quotes:

"Why Is @BarackObama constantly issuing executive orders that are major power grabs of authority?"

"The country wasn't based on executive orders,"

"Right now, Obama goes around signing executive orders. He can't even get along with the Democrats, and he goes around signing all these executive orders. It's a basic disaster. You can't do it."

#23 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-03-20 07:22 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

Return education to the States, the slush fund is closed.

#1 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES

It is mostly with the states you f%^*ing idiot. Why else do you think red state s^*+holes are always so bad at education along with everything else.

#24 | Posted by jpw at 2025-03-20 08:24 PM | Reply

The Education Department has no control over the curriculum at all. That is the State and local government's responsibility.

#25 | Posted by YAV at 2025-03-20 09:31 PM | Reply

Is that why New Mexico (a tried and true Democrat stronghold) always comes in dead ass last in the rankings JPW?

#26 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-03-20 09:47 PM | Reply

I found this nice infographic of what Trump and the Republicans are destroying!
About a third of the way down the page, there's a breakout of how Federal programs (used to) support America's schools.

Dept of Ed
$18.2B Education for Disadvantaged
$14.5B Special Education
$7.3B School Improvement Programs
$1.6B Impact Aid Program

Dept of Ag
$26.9B Child Nutrition

Dept of HHS
$10.7B Head Start

usafacts.org

#27 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 09:57 PM | Reply

"Return education to the States"

It's already with the States.
It's always been with the States.
Why don't you know these basic facts about how America works?

#5 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-20 05:08 PM | Reply | Flag:
(Choose)

So this is just semantics and the federal department of education is worthless and unnecessary, so shutting it down is just basic common sense, got it.

#28 | Posted by THEBULL at 2025-03-21 06:53 AM | Reply

Is that why New Mexico (a tried and true Democrat stronghold) always comes in dead ass last in the rankings JPW?

#26 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES

That's why the majority of the best ranked are blue New England states and the majority of the worst are red states.

I get that you're rather dumb, but even someone as stupid as you knows cherry picking is dishonest.

#29 | Posted by jpw at 2025-03-21 07:38 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

So this is just semantics and the federal department of education is worthless and unnecessary, so shutting it down is just basic common sense, got it.

#28 | POSTED BY THEBULL

No, idiot. Shutting it down will ensure things get worse because there's nothing pushing states to get better. There's nothing forcing states to educate kids with special needs.

Righties really are just stupid.

#30 | Posted by jpw at 2025-03-21 07:41 AM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

"the federal department of education is worthless and unnecessary"

Thitty billion dollars is worthless and unnecessary.
This is really how Deplorables think.

#31 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-21 08:47 AM | Reply

Our children are our greatest hope for the future, and we must invest in their education and well-being.
--Steven Biko

American will not be investing in American children any more.
--Republicans

#32 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-21 09:39 AM | Reply

There have been absolutely no successes of the Dept Of Ed that can be cited. Govt monies flowed to the states public school system and will continue to do so after the dept is ended. However, the many millions that went to the bureaucracy of the dept and to the teachers' unions will have been dried up. BUT fear not libbies, as the majority of [wannabe] teachers out there are still libbies/progressives so [unfortunately for our students] the indoctrination will continue, just with fewer of our tax dollars being wasted.

FYI:

"In fiscal year 2024, the US Department of Education received approximately $188.6 billion in funding, representing about 10.3% of the total federal budget."

"In FY 2024, the Department of Education transferred 25.4% of its total spending to states and local governments."

Don't you wonder where the majority of funding [our hard earned tax dollars]has ended up???

#33 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-03-21 05:24 PM | Reply

"The Department of Education accounted for 4.0% of all federal spending in FY 2024.
Share of ED net spending compared to the top ten highest spending agencies in FY 2024"

usafacts.org

You know... Ronald ---- Reagan, Corporatist Stooge that he was, wouldn't waste his spit on Republicans today who have completely Sold Out to the Corporate Oligarchs with their LIES about the spending (DoE was 6th in spending among agencies the Chart at the link)...

... and who are supporting the Corporatist Plan in Proj25 to Privatize everything from Schools to Prisons to Social Security. Which is how, of course, we got got one the WORST Health Care system among all nations.

Wait until you see the Corporate AI Defense Bot Military... you know, when Voters are No Longer Required.

Even you may not like that.

So, Make American Schools as poor as our Healthcare, MRGA! (Make Russia Great Again(TM))

#34 | Posted by Corky at 2025-03-21 05:48 PM | Reply

"the many millions that went to the bureaucracy of the dept and to the teachers' unions will have been dried up."

Bureaucracy I can see the point you are making.

But how, exactly, do you think money flows to the teachers unions?

#35 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-21 06:16 PM | Reply

Exactly what has the US Dept of Education accomplished that made public education results better for students? The purpose of getting rid of the bureaucratic organization at large is it will allow states to organize education in a way that they can cleanly compete with other states for educational accomplishment and funding.

#36 | Posted by Robson at 2025-03-21 06:20 PM | Reply

#36 - it's not hard to educate yourself. Really. It's damn easy. Try it.

#37 | Posted by YAV at 2025-03-21 06:24 PM | Reply

Exactly what has the US Dept of Education accomplished..

It was signed into law in 1867 by Andrew Jackson.

So ... its core responsibilities have included distributing federal financial aid for education, collecting data on the US's schools, identifying major educational issues and enforcing federal education laws prohibiting discrimination and implementing congressional education legislation.

Exactly what is Trumpy the Terminator replacing it with?

A Concept of a Plan?

Or most likely just buckets of money to the states to do whatever with. A much more efficient way to waste taxpayer monies!

Making America Gullible Again.

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-21 06:39 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

The Department of Education has achieved exactly what the Democrats have always envisioned. They have removed standardized testing to hide the poor performance of public schools, they have worked to inflate teacher pay and remove teacher accountability for our failing students, and they have overall dumbed down the public to create a perpetual class of people that will be utterly dependent on government handouts for their entire lives.

#39 | Posted by ScottS at 2025-03-21 08:06 PM | Reply

core responsibilities have included distributing federal financial aid for education, collecting data on the US's schools, identifying major educational issues and enforcing federal education laws prohibiting discrimination and implementing congressional education legislation.

Do we really need this though? Has it changed anything? Its similar to spending Billions just to say education got worse, we already know that.

Once the Federal Government did away with nation wide standardized testing, and the Presidential Fitness award (seems like a good idea in general, why was it disbanded?), why do you need a Federal Agency for education?

#40 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-21 08:19 PM | Reply

Or most likely just buckets of money to the states to do whatever with. A much more efficient way to waste taxpayer monies!

Thats whats happening now.....

#41 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-21 08:20 PM | Reply

But how, exactly, do you think money flows to the teachers unions?
#35 | POSTED BY SNOOFY

From the taxpayers to the teachers to the union, to the CTA in CA its about $300M a year

Our children are our greatest hope for the future, and we must invest in their education and well-being.
--Steven Biko

Steven wasn't talking about $$.

#42 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-03-21 08:30 PM | Reply | Funny: 1

Here's my worthless take...if you've never spent any time in front of a classroom, you have no business proffering a opinion, now do you?

#43 | Posted by dutch46 at 2025-03-21 10:19 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1

@#42 ... From the taxpayers to the teachers to the union ...

So, taxpayers are paying the teachers' salaries, as should be done because the taxpayers have hired those teachers.

But, once those salaries are paid to the teachers, what concern is it of your current alias what the teachers then do with that money?

Is your current alias saying that the state should look into how every citizen spends the salary they receive?

#44 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-03-21 10:40 PM | Reply

Here's my worthless take...if you've never spent any time in front of a classroom, you have no business proffering a opinion, now do you?

#43 | POSTED BY DUTCH46 AT 2025-03-21 10:19 PM | FLAG: | NEWSWORTHY 1: Actually every taxpayer is involved as their monies are funding, So 'taxpayers' opinions matter'..

'Proffer' away people'

#45 | Posted by MSgt at 2025-03-22 11:43 AM | Reply

why do you need a Federal Agency for education?

#40 | Posted by oneironaut

To keep state's feet to the fire and to set regulations that set minimum standards.

Education being bad is because states do a poor job of it and only did what little they did because they were pulled kicking and screaming into doing it. Education will only get worse as you dumbf(*&s push your s(*& worldview on everyone.

That's pretty much true for everything. You morons that can barely get through life think you have enough of it figured out to tell the rest of us how to live. And it's going to suck for everyone because in the end you're viciously stupid and miserable, s*&^^y people.

#46 | Posted by jpw at 2025-03-22 12:17 PM | Reply

why do you need a Federal Agency for education?

Why do you need a Federal agency for anything!

Congratulations, you figured it out.

#47 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-22 12:19 PM | Reply

'Proffer' away people'

#45 | Posted by MSgt

If only people like you spent half as much effort on learning something as you did spouting your ignorance.

#48 | Posted by jpw at 2025-03-22 12:22 PM | Reply

"Actually every taxpayer is involved as their monies are funding, So 'taxpayers' opinions matter'."

I look forward to hearing you sing this same tune when Trump cuts Veterans Benefits.

#49 | Posted by snoofy at 2025-03-22 12:36 PM | Reply

if you've never spent any time in front of a classroom, you have no business proffering a opinion, now do you?

#43 | POSTED BY DUTCH46

I have a feeling that most of these anti education maga nuts have not spent much time sitting in a "classroom" at all.

#50 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-03-22 01:00 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 1