Trump’s Push to Reshape the Department of Education: A Quick Breakdown
Trump signing order to dismantle the DOE March, 20, 2025
In early 2025, President Donald J. Trump launched one of the most chaotic and dramatic overhauls of the U.S. Department of Education in its entire existence. His administration is cutting down on staff, freezing funding, and dismantling diversity programs. In his eyes and those of his supporters, these moves give more power to states, parents, and local communities. On the other hand, experts claim they could weaken civil rights protections, disrupt student aid, and leave vulnerable children without the critical support they need.
Education has always been about educating kids and improving/maintaining the intelligence of a nation; but deeper than that it’s about nurturing young minds and guiding them to contribute to society in whatever way they wish. In a country built on freedom and diversity the education system should compliment those same values. If a country fails to prioritize its principle values and beliefs then it begs the question of what the priorities of a country truly are.
1. Massive Staff Cuts
The department’s workforce has been slashed by nearly half — from about 4,100 employees to just over 2,000. This large reduction affects everything from civil rights enforcement to student loan services. It is not hard to predict the lack of productivity that can come with laying off such a significant proportion of the workforce.
2. Shifting Responsibilities
Core functions, like managing student loans and overseeing special education, are being transferred to agencies such as the Treasury Department and Health and Human Services. This move may ensure more security in the country's finances but in turn reduces the Education Department’s central authority over matters related to education.
3. Funding Freezes
Billions in congressionally-approved education funds have been put on hold. Schools that rely on federal money for programs like English language learning, teacher training, and after-school care face uncertainty. In many cases, continued access to funding has been tied to states and school districts adopting Trump’s preferred policy positions.
4. Targeting Diversity and Inclusion Programs
The administration has threatened to withhold funding from schools that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. We have already seen the ripple effect from the withholding of funding from schools who refuse to cooperate. Federal courts have struck down parts of these directives, but not completely. Enforcement efforts continue.
5. Suppressing Data and Research
Some education research projects and data collection programs — key tools for shaping policy — have been scaled back or canceled, raising concerns about accountability, and especially transparency.
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in ensuring equal access to a quality education, enforcing civil rights laws, and managing billions of dollars in student aid. Scaling back its authority could shift decision-making to the states, recently during Covid-19 pandemic states had control over how to regulate the virus. This led to a lot of confusion across the country and ultimately fragmented the response, weakened coordination among individuals and regions of the country, and escalated health inequalities. America is unique for the reason there are fifty different states with varying laws that have its benefits but definitely have its faults. When states have too much power it can degrade unity. Additionally, it risks leaving gaps in much needed support for students who rely on federal funding and protection.
This fight reflects a deeper debate within American politics: Should education be a federal responsibility, or should it be largely controlled by states and local governments? Trump’s approach is to rely on local control and move away from federal oversight, and is the most aggressive effort in decades to do so.
