Trump signs order to dismantle Education Department

Trump's order instructs Linda McMahon, head of the Department of Education, to take all necessary actions to close the department and transfer educational authority to individual U.S. states. At the same time, she must ensure that essential services and programs continue to be delivered efficiently and without interruption.

Earlier on Thursday, Trump announced that McMahon is charged with eliminating her position. He also decided that the remaining funds for the Department of Education cannot be used to promote DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) or gender ideology.

The White House stated that taxpayers will no longer need to spend tens of billions of dollars on progressive social experiments and outdated programs. Schools were also criticized for promoting radical, left-wing ideas.

The Department of Education oversees about 100,000 public schools and 34,000 private schools in the U.S., although over 85% of public school funding comes from state and local sources.

The Department provides federal grants for schools and programs, salaries for teachers who work with children with special needs, funding for arts programs, and updates for outdated infrastructure. It also manages $1.6 trillion in student loans.

The idea of dismantling the department has been discussed in Republican circles for years. However, it has been particularly unpopular among the American public. In surveys, most Americans opposed it. This is why many commentators and opposition politicians doubted that Donald Trump and the Republicans would pursue such a drastic step.

In a poll conducted at the end of February (NPR, PBS News, and Marist), 63% of Americans surveyed expressed opposition to the department's dissolution, while 37% were "in favor."

It must be emphasized: the president cannot dissolve the department based solely on an executive order; he needs Congress's support. A bill for dissolution must pass with a vote of 60 senators, and Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate.

Democrats are unlikely to give up this fight easily. Last week, a group of Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block the department's dismantling and the layoff of nearly half of its staff.

Trump has repeatedly called for the department's elimination, describing it as a "huge scam." He proposed its closure during his first presidential term, but did not issue such a clear executive order at that time, and Congress did not take similar actions. Republicans have long sought at least to reduce the department's funding and influence.

American media emphasize that changes introduced by Trump may affect students in the poorest districts. Federal subsidies for such schools and aid for children with learning difficulties could be at risk.

Linda McMahon assured that federal funding for schools, allocated by Congress to support low-income districts and students, will continue. Student loans and services for children with disabilities are also to be maintained.