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
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli drone strikes town of Harouf, Nabatieh district.
Factions' statement: The attendees agreed to support and continue implementing the ceasefire agreement measures, including the withdrawal of the occupation and lifting the siege.
Factions' statement: Calling for an end to all forms of torture and violations against prisoners in occupation prisons and the necessity of obligating the occupation to do so.
Statement: The current moment is crucial, making the meeting a true turning point toward national unity in defense of our people and their right to life, dignity, and freedom.
Factions' statement: Call for an urgent meeting of all Palestinian forces and factions to agree on a national strategy.
Factions' statement: Continuing joint work to unify visions and positions to confront the challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
Statement of the factions: Emphasis on the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independent national decision.
Statement: Approval to establish an international committee to oversee the financing and implementation of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Statement: The committee is responsible for managing life and services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions, based on transparency and accountability.
Resistance factions' statement: Agreement to hand over the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee of independent technocrats.

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

Inside Rubio's push for government change in Venezuela: Drop Site

US holds joint military drills with Trinidad and Tobago near Venezuela

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

From previous scenes of the Qassam Brigades targeting an Israeli D9 bulldozer with a Yassin 105 shell, east of Deir al-Balah. (Military Media of the Qassam Brigades)

US knew fatal Rafah blast cause was not Hamas op., says journalist

  • Politics
  • 20 Oct 2025
'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Flags of Iran, Russia, and China (IRNA)
Politics

Russia, China, Iran send joint letter to IAEA on Resolution 2231 end

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries
Politics

Rubio says UNRWA to play no role in Gaza aid deliveries

Tents are seen at UN school used as a shelter for displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

UN warns of 'lost generation' amid Gaza education crisis

x
Politics

White House pushes to repeal US sanctions on Syria: Report

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