As President Trump seeks global peace and enacts reciprocal tariffs, another target on the administration’s mind is eliminating the federal Department of Education (DOE). 

On Mar. 20, Trump signed an executive order allowing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education… while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs and benefits on which Americans rely.” 

The order places blame on the DOE’s bureaucracy for the country’s low proficiency rates in reading and math. In the press conference when he signed the bill, Trump also cited that the US spends more per pupil on education than any country in the world. 

One should recognize that entirely eliminating a federal department requires an act of Congress, which Trump would struggle to do with a slim majority in the House and the democrats likely prepared to filibuster in the Senate. However, McMahon has taken steps to minimize the department’s influence. 

On Mar. 11, the DOE’s employees, over 4,000 in total, were told that they should expect many to be laid off or put on leave. McMahon tried to lay off over 1,300 employees by Mar. 21, although she was subsequently stopped by legal objections. Hundreds of others have allegedly taken buyout offers. 

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed that education policies should be placed largely on the states. Leavitt expressed that core functions, like Pell Grants and student loans, would remain under the department’s jurisdiction if elimination isn’t possible. Meanwhile, other programs mandated by Congress. For instance, Title I, which funds education in low-income communities, would probably be moved to other departments. 

Trump later clarified that programs supporting disabled students could be moved to the Department of Health and Human Services and student loans could shift to the Small Business Administration. 

The latest development to the situation occurred Apr. 2 when McMahon reached across the political aisle in a private meeting with 10 Democratic representatives. She faced harsh criticism for lacking a plan to reorganize the department after the layoffs. Regardless, California Representative Mark Takano was also pleased that she was willing to speak with them, unlike other federal appointees. 

Dean Tracy Cross of the University College of Education and Human Development remarked that most countries with the highest performing education statistics have a centralized education system. As the U.S. exists currently, there are over 13,000 school districts and 50 state governments which all have varied standards. He stated that “if we have no way to coordinate that… we’re not a very United States of America.” 

Cross also recognized that the reason why many want the DOE to be shut down is to increase efficiency by decreasing bureaucracy and government spending. However, he rebutted that even though it removes costs upfront, many of the programs mandated by federal law will simply have to be moved elsewhere. He did acknowledge that moving programs to other agencies is ultimately better than eliminating them entirely. 

Cross agreed that the DOE is not a perfect institution. 

However, it also coordinates and offers grants, provides expertise in aspects that state and local governments might not and ensures every student receives quality education. It oversees compliance with the law for disadvantaged students like those with disabilities, has produced much academic research and provided many jobs over the years. 

Students across campus were concerned about the effects of dismantling a federal agency. 

Freshman physics major Jason Barry said, “I think it’s unwise to dismantle an entire government department without a plan for what comes after.” 

Taijah Handy, a biology major, said her “main concern is how it would affect my financial aid.” 

Adam Long, a freshman majoring in mass communications, described it as “appalling.” 

Each student’s opinion largely remained the same when it was clarified that the administration looked to move many of its programs to other agencies. 

These policy changes aren’t isolated either. 

Trump signed another executive order on Mar. 14, declaring an end to numerous other subsidiary cabinet agencies that don’t require congressional approval, such as the Agency of Global Media and the Interagency Council on Homelessness. 

The Department of Energy under Secretary Allen Wright also reported that they’ve found up to 8,500 nonessential positions they can cut.