- The Trump administration has begun dismantling the Department of Education (ED), transferring key programs (including Title I funding for low-income schools) to agencies like Labor, HHS and Interior.
- This move aligns with decades of Republican opposition to the ED, which conservatives argue promotes "woke indoctrination" and duplicates state efforts. The Heritage Foundation's Project 2025 has long advocated for its abolition.
- Supporters claim it reduces bureaucracy and empowers local control, while educators warn of chaos, citing risks to Title I, special education and civil rights enforcement.
- The ED retains oversight of student loans, disability programs and civil rights enforcement—though Secretary Linda McMahon hints these may also be transferred later.
- The ED has been controversial since its creation in 1979 under Carter. Reagan sought its abolition, and Trump's actions mark the culmination of conservative efforts to decentralize education policy.
The Trump administration took a major step toward its long-promised goal of dismantling the federal Department of Education (ED) this week, announcing the transfer of several key education programs to other agencies.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon outlined the plan in a Fox News appearance, framing it as a move to reduce federal bureaucracy and return control to states. The restructuring follows years of conservative criticism of the ED as an overreach of federal power, dating back to its creation in 1979. While proponents argue this shift empowers local decision-making, critics warn it could disrupt funding for vulnerable student populations.
Breaking up the federal education bureaucracy
The ED signed six new interagency agreements (IAAs) with the Department of Labor (DOL), Department of the Interior (DOI), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Department of State, redistributing billions in grant programs. Most notably, DOL will now oversee major K-12 funding streams, including Title I, a program providing $18 billion annually to schools serving low-income students. Adult education programs had already been transferred to DOL in June, signaling the administration’s broader strategy.
"Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission," McMahon said in a statement. She emphasized that the changes would "refocus education on students, families and schools" while maintaining federal funding levels. However, Rhode Island's K-12 education chief, Angelica Infante-Green, expressed concerns: "People might think it's just funding and giving them the money, but it's not. It is about how to co-mingle some of the funds to educate a child holistically."
What stays—and what goes
The ED retains control over its $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio, civil rights enforcement and programs for students with disabilities—though McMahon has suggested even these could eventually shift. Meanwhile, HHS will manage grants for college students who are parents, State will take foreign language programs and DOI will oversee Native American education initiatives.
White House spokeswoman Liz Huston framed the move as fulfilling Trump's campaign pledge: "The Democrat shutdown made one thing unmistakably clear: students and teachers don't need Washington bureaucrats micromanaging their classrooms." The administration has long argued that the ED duplicates state efforts, citing the government shutdown as proof that schools function without federal oversight.
Historical context and opposition
According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, ED was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter as a federal cabinet position, centralizing control over education policy and undermining local autonomy, despite opposition from figures like Ronald Reagan, who warned against its overreach. Meanwhile, conservative groups like the Heritage Foundation have labeled it a vehicle for "woke indoctrination."
Critics, including the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), warn that scattering ED functions risks destabilizing programs.
"That national mission is weakened when its core functions are scattered across other federal or state agencies," said AFGE Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman. Educators fear disruptions to Title I and special education funding, which rely on ED expertise.
The Trump administration's latest move signals a decisive shift toward decentralizing education policy, with McMahon calling it a step toward the ED's "final mission." While supporters celebrate reduced federal influence, opponents question whether other agencies can seamlessly absorb complex programs serving millions of students. The debate over the ED's future—and the role of Washington in education—remains fiercely contested.
Watch the video below where McMahon announced the layoff of ED employees.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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