Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: Intense US efforts are being made to resolve differences, such as the issue of the Israeli presence on Mount Hermon and in southern Syria
Israeli media: The security agreement means amending the disengagement agreement, which will also address the Druze issue
Israeli media: Attempts to reach a security agreement between 'Israel' and Syria were among the topics discussed at the Paris meeting
Israeli media: Sheikh Muwaffaq Tarif rejected a US proposal to join the recent tripartite meeting between Tom Barrack, al-Shaibani, and Dermer
Saba News Agency: Two martyred, five injured in a preliminary toll of the Israeli aggression on the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street in Sanaa
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: We observed a state of confusion among the enemy's aircraft squadron after Yemeni air defenses intercepted the attack
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: The Yemeni air defense forces succeeded in neutralizing a squadron of enemy aircraft and prevented airstrikes on some governorates
Senior Yemeni military source to Al Mayadeen: Our air defenses and missile forces forced a formation of enemy aircraft to flee the airspace
Member of the Ansar Allah Political Bureau, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti: The Israeli aggression on Yemen will not deter us from continuing to support Gaza, no matter the sacrifices
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The Israeli aggression targeted the Yemeni Oil Company station on Al-Sitteen Street, southwest of the capital, Sanaa, with several raids

Trump to sign order Thursday to dismantle Education Department

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Mar 2025 08:54
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

US President Trump is set to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education and transfer authority to the states, per a White House fact sheet.

Listen
  • x
  • President Donald Trump tours the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, on March 17, 2025. (Pool via AP)
    US President Donald Trump tours the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, on March 17, 2025. (Pool via AP)

Two US administration officials say US President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday to initiate the shutdown of the Education Department. The move, first reported by USA Today, is unprecedented and could have significant implications for state and local governments, in addition to students and families nationwide.  

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in distributing financial aid and grant programs while ensuring equitable access to quality education across the US.  

The executive order instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States," while maintaining "uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely," according to a White House summary obtained by Axios.  

Additionally, the order mandates that any remaining Education Department funds must not be used to support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives or gender ideology. This directive follows Trump's previous executive order to eliminate federal DEI programs.

Between the lines

Closing a federal department would require congressional approval, likely needing at least 60 votes in the Senate. With a 53-47 majority, Republicans fall short of the threshold needed to overcome a potential Democratic filibuster.  

Any attempt to bypass congressional authority would almost certainly face legal challenges, according to Josh Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University's College of Education, who highlighted this issue in a blog post.

Related News

Merz eyes new alike-thinking trade partners over US tariffs

JD Vance says 'Russians have made significant concessions' to Trump

The Department of Education operated with a $268 billion annual budget in the 2024 fiscal year and employed over 4,000 staff members. It manages and funds numerous programs designed to support quality education for students.  

Among its responsibilities, the department provides supplemental funding to high-poverty K-12 school districts, which offer essential childcare services for many low-income and rural communities nationwide. Additionally, it gathers national data on schools and enforces federal civil rights laws to prevent discrimination.

Democratic States sue Trump admin over education department closure

Following Trump's decision to sign an executive order formalizing the department's abolition last week, around 20 Democratic-led states, along with the District of Columbia, have launched a legal battle against the Trump administration in an effort to stop the dissolution of the Department of Education.

The lawsuit, filed on March 13, argues that Trump's directive to dismantle the department violates the US Constitution and the Administrative Procedure Act.

The Department of Education had already begun implementing a workforce reduction plan earlier in March, resulting in the termination of over 1,300 employees and nearly 600 voluntary resignations—effectively slashing its workforce by 50%.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed that widespread layoffs are part of a broader strategy to phase out the department entirely, stating that "the forthcoming mass redundancies in the department are the first step toward complete closure."

She defended the decision by arguing that reducing federal oversight would allow states greater control over education funding and policy.

It is worth noting that Trump has long advocated for shutting down the Department of Education, claiming it has been dominated by ideological factions. His campaign previously pledged to eliminate the agency, contending that it had been overrun by "radicals, zealots, and Marxists."

The administration argues that decentralizing education policy would enhance efficiency and direct more resources to schools.

Critics, however, warn that dismantling the department could have severe consequences, particularly for federal education funding programs that support low-income and special education students.

  • United States
  • Washington
  • DEI
  • US Department of Education
  • Donald Trump

Most Read

Tom Artiom Alexandrovich, executive director of the defense division of the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, undated (Social media)

Israeli-born US prosecutor drops Israeli officer child sex crime

  • Politics
  • 19 Aug 2025
Displaced Palestinians walk through a makeshift camp along the beach in Gaza City, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)

Hamas, other factions accept Egypt-Qatar ceasefire proposal: Exclusive

  • Politics
  • 18 Aug 2025
Palestine will not be liberated by UN reports, but by pursuing a different strategic horizon: one that does not beg for recognition. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Economy of Genocide: Albanese's report accuses, but doesn't dismantle system

  • Opinion
  • 18 Aug 2025
Israeli soldiers stand on the top of armoured vehicles parked on an area near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)

Palestinian fighters target Israeli soldiers, vehicles in Gaza

  • Politics
  • 21 Aug 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference at the Prime minister's office in al-Quds, Occupied Palestine, Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Netanyahu deliberately derailing truce with Gaza occupation: Hamas

Irish President Michael Higgins arrives to deliver his speech during a 42nd World Food Day celebration at FAO headquarters in Rome, on Oct. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Politics

Irish president renews call for UN military intervention in Gaza

US Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack speaks during an interview with The Associated Press at the US Embassy in Aukar, northern suburb of Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, July 21, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US envoy, Netanyahu discuss restraining attacks on Lebanon, withdrawal

Smoke billows following Israeli airstrikes in multiple areas in Sanaa, Yemen, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Ansar Allah vow sustained Gaza support despite Israeli strikes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS