Trump Moves to Dismantle Education Department Amid Government Overhaul
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to dismantle the Department of Education from within, despite lacking the congressional approval needed to abolish it outright, according to U.S. media reports on Tuesday.
While the White House confirmed Trump was set to sign a new round of executive orders, it did not disclose specific details. This move follows a broader push to restructure the federal government, led in part by Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently played a role in the shutdown of USAID, the country’s humanitarian aid agency.
Musk Backs Trump's Efforts
Musk’s DOGE department is reportedly investigating data at the Education Department, according to the Washington Post. The billionaire referenced the report on his social media platform X, stating that while former President Ronald Reagan had failed to abolish the department in the 1980s, Trump "will succeed."
Throughout his 2024 election campaign, Trump vowed to eliminate the Department of Education, arguing that decisions about schooling should be left to individual U.S. states. He has criticized the department’s budget, citing excessive spending while global education rankings show the U.S. trailing behind other nations.
Executive Orders and Controversial Nomination
Trump has already signed several executive orders on education-related issues, including race, gender, and college campus protests. Critics argue that his policies reflect a conservative push against what he calls liberal influence in schools.
To lead the department, Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)—a move widely seen as a signal to downgrade the agency. McMahon’s nomination also recalls her wrestling-world ties with Trump; in a famous televised stunt, Trump once body-slammed her husband, WWE chairman Vince McMahon, and shaved his head in the ring.
While Trump’s plans remain uncertain, his push to overhaul federal agencies—with Musk's backing—signals a major shift in U.S. governance.
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