(LOOTPRESS) President Donald Trump is considering executive action to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, shifting some programs to other federal agencies while eliminating others, according to multiple sources familiar with the discussions. While no immediate action is expected, the move aligns with Trump’s long-standing goal of reducing the size of the federal government.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on the potential restructuring, which also reflects the priorities of Elon Musk, whom Trump has tapped to lead the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The effort would aim to shrink the federal workforce and reallocate responsibilities traditionally overseen by the Education Department.
The Department of Education plays a key role in distributing federal financial aid, supporting college loan programs and Pell Grants, enforcing non-discrimination policies in schools, and overseeing programs for economically disadvantaged and special-needs students. Although it provides less than 10% of the nation’s public school funding—most of which comes from state and local taxes—it plays a critical role in research, vocational training, and education policy at the federal level.
Many of the department’s programs were established through congressional legislation, leaving questions about whether they could be reassigned to other agencies through executive action alone. Eliminating the department outright would require congressional approval.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order prioritizing federal funding for school choice programs, signaling his broader push to shift education policy to the states. During his 2023 campaign, he reaffirmed his commitment to closing the Education Department, stating, “One other thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education and education work and needs back to the states. We want them to run the education of our children because they’ll do a much better job of it.”
Trump previously advocated for eliminating the department during his 2016 campaign but did not pursue it during his first term.
Linda McMahon, the former World Wrestling Entertainment executive and member of the Connecticut State Board of Education, is Trump’s nominee for education secretary. However, she has yet to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The potential restructuring follows recommendations from Project 2025, a policy blueprint developed by the conservative Heritage Foundation. The plan suggests transferring student loan administration, Title I funding, and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act oversight to departments such as the Treasury, Justice, and Health and Human Services. Similarly, Republican Sen. Mike Rounds of South Dakota has introduced the Returning Education to Our States Act, which would dissolve the Education Department and shift federal loan programs to the Treasury.
The Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. Any significant changes to its structure or authority would likely face legal and political challenges, with strong opposition expected from education advocates and Democratic lawmakers.
