Staff Reports
President Trump is taking a decisive step toward shaking up the education landscape with an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take action toward closing the Department of Education. Now, before anyone gets too excited, it’s important to note that the president is well aware he can’t simply flip a switch and turn the lights off at the department. However, he’s making it clear that an overhaul is on the horizon, with the order calling for any legal means necessary to facilitate this “momentous final mission.”
This move isn’t just a casual suggestion; it’s a response to what many in conservative circles see as a debacle of federal government overreach into education. The order outlines that the federal government’s attempt to control education through its financial programs has been an utter failure, leading to a decline in educational outcomes for children and unnecessary bureaucracy. The message is clear: it’s time for education to return to the states where local leaders can better tailor solutions to their residents’ needs.
Linda McMahon, freshly sworn into her role, appears to be on board with the president’s vision. She recently signaled her commitment to this objective, declaring her intent to send education back to the states. After years of watching the Department of Education transform into a bloated behemoth filled with bureaucrats, many believe that eliminating layers of federal oversight could reinvigorate America’s educational systems. The administration has already made strides, trimming down staff and slashing unnecessary programs, while making room for state-led initiatives.
White House disputes report that Trump will sign executive order aimed at shuttering Department of Education – https://t.co/x4JaEOWsbL – @washtimes @JeffMordock
— S.A. Miller (@samillertimes) March 6, 2025
In a typical showing of union resistance, Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers has chimed in, using a survey to gauge public sentiment against the closure. But let’s be honest — polls can be fickle friends. Just because a majority of people are currently worried about the prospect of closing the department doesn’t mean they are fully informed about the drawbacks of federal intervention. Many parents and educators are often left frustrated by Washington’s cookie-cutter approach to local issues.
The push to dismantle the Education Department isn’t some rogue campaign — it has been on the Republican wish list since its inception under President Jimmy Carter back in 1979. While President Reagan struggled to implement meaningful cuts, newer administrations have seen a dramatic increase in frustration, especially amidst the Biden administration’s policies on student loan forgiveness and catering to progressive causes. With only 4,500 employees and a budget that constitutes less than 10% of total public school funding, the federal grip on education has always been seen as more of a nuisance than a necessity.
The education system deserves better than what it has been handed. As Trump takes steps to empower local control, Americans will likely find that state-led initiatives can provide tailored solutions to meet the educational needs of their communities — rather than a one-size-fits-all approach from Washington. Maybe, just maybe, this push will serve as a wake-up call to the rest of the country to rethink who should be calling the shots in the classroom.
