Donald Trump To Eliminate Department of Education: What To Know

President Donald Trump is reportedly set to issue an executive order closing the Department of Education this week.

This was first reported by The Washington Post, which cited two people familiar with the situation talking about a draft of the action that was circulated on Wednesday. This draft has since been obtained by NPR.

Newsweek has contacted the White House, via email, for comment.

What To Know

The draft, labeled "pre-decisional," directs the newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education."

It says: "The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars ... has failed our children."

Legally, the president does not have the power to eliminate the department, which the draft recognizes—it would need action from Congress and a likely supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate (Republicans hold 53).

Why It Matters

Trump campaigned on a promise to close the education department, promising to return education decisions to the states as several other Republicans have considered, including Ronald Reagan and Ted Cruz.

The president, and supporters of this move, believe shutting down the department will correct what they see as federal overreach and a misuse of taxpayer dollars.

Critics argue that losing the department will mean there is nothing holding schools accountable for enforcing certain laws, including non-discrimination laws for gender, race and disability.

Among other things, the department provides federal grants for under-funded schools and programs and it oversees $1.6 trillion in student loans held by tens of millions of Americans who cannot afford to pay for university outright.

Newsweek has broken down what parents should know about Trump's plans here.

What People Are Saying

President Donald Trump previously condemned schools for teaching "critical race theory, gender ideology or other inappropriate racial, sexual or political content onto our children."

He also said the department had been "infiltrated by radical zealots and Marxists who have infiltrated the Federal Department of Education."

Margaret Spellings, the former secretary of education under President George W. Bush, told Newsweek: "This is an age-old, Republican orthodoxy. There's plenty of room for improvement at the Department of Education, that was true when I was there. The question becomes to what end? Why? And what's the best organizational structure to serve students?"

What Happens Next

The executive order could be issued as soon as Thursday, but closing the department would need significant Democratic support to get enough votes past the threshold in the Senate.