President Donald Trump has set his sights on eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, a move that could dramatically reshape how schools and colleges receive federal funding and enforce civil rights protections.
The Push to Shut Down the Education Department
Trump’s newly appointed Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, has been tasked with working herself “out of a job.” While shutting down the department would likely require Congressional approval, the administration is already making sweeping changes, including:
- Cutting federal education contracts deemed “wasteful” by Trump adviser Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency
- Scaling back the Institute of Education Sciences, which tracks student performance data
- Firing or suspending employees in an effort to downsize the department
If successful, the federal government’s role in education would shrink, transferring most responsibilities—including funding and oversight—to individual states.
What Does the Education Department Do?
The U.S. Department of Education plays a major financial and regulatory role in schools and colleges across the country. Its core responsibilities include:
| Key Function | Impact |
|---|---|
| Managing Student Loans | Oversees $1.5 trillion in student debt, Pell Grants, and FAFSA |
| Civil Rights Oversight | Enforces protections for LGBTQ+ students, students of color, and students with disabilities |
| College Accreditation | Approves accreditation agencies that determine school funding eligibility |
| K-12 School Funding | Distributes billions in Title I (low-income schools) and IDEA (special education) funding |
How Would Education Change Under Trump?
Student Loans & Financial Aid
The Biden administration attempted widespread student loan forgiveness, canceling $175 billion in debt for 4.8 million borrowers. Trump has strongly opposed these efforts, calling them a “catastrophe” but has not outlined a clear alternative.
Civil Rights Enforcement
Trump has redirected civil rights investigations, prioritizing antisemitism cases and scrutinizing schools that allow transgender athletes to compete. He has also pledged to remove diversity policies from college campuses.
Accreditation & Federal Oversight
Trump has vowed to fire “radical left accreditors” and introduce new agencies focused on traditional American values. This could make it harder for some colleges to receive federal funding.
K-12 Funding & Special Education
Trump’s plan suggests moving federal oversight of low-income and special education programs to the Department of Health and Human Services, with the eventual goal of phasing out funding and giving states more control.
What’s Next?
While Trump could issue an executive order to downsize the department, closing it entirely would require Congress to act. With strong opinions on both sides, the future of federal education policy remains uncertain.
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