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President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education marks a historic shift in federal education policy. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, tasked with executing this directive, argues that eliminating the agency will while cutting bureaucratic waste. During her appearance on Rob Schmitt Tonight, McMahon emphasized that closing the department aligns with Trump’s promise to and free schools from Washington’s overreach.
### Key Benefits of Dismantling the Department
– : McMahon asserts that education is a state responsibility, not a federal one. The order redirects authority to local leaders, allowing communities to tailor policies to their needs without “burdensome regulations”.
– : The department has already dismissed 50% of its staff, targeting what McMahon calls “layers of federal red tape” that hinder teachers and inflate costs.
– : The order blocks funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and “gender ideology,” which conservatives argue distract from core academics.
### Response to Teachers Unions
McMahon dismissed criticism from teachers unions like Randi Weingarten’s AFT, which sued the department for halting income-driven student loan repayment plans. She accused unions of prioritizing over students, claiming federal mandates have driven teachers out of the profession by drowning them in paperwork. Instead, she pledged to protect funding for special education and low-income students while letting states decide how to allocate resources.
### Challenges Ahead
While McMahon insists the transition will be orderly, legal battles over layoffs and program cuts loom. Closing the department fully requires congressional approval—a tough sell, given a 2023 House vote where 60 Republicans opposed abolition. Nevertheless, McMahon remains confident, stating: “We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly”.
This move reflects Trump’s broader effort to shrink federal influence, but critics warn it could destabilize education systems reliant on federal grants and civil rights enforcement.
