Washington: Since his return to power on January 20, US President Donald Trump has signed a series of executive orders aimed at overturning policies established by his Democratic predecessors.
According to Anadolu Agency, Trump's swift actions have targeted areas including immigration, climate change, oil exploration, health, and gender, in line with his campaign promises. The Education Department, created by Congress in 1979 to ensure equal educational opportunities, is reportedly next on Trump's list. He is said to be finalizing an executive order aimed at dismantling the agency, which employs over 4,000 people and manages the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program among other educational grants.
The notion of dismantling the department is not new and has been a long-standing goal for some Republicans. Former President Ronald Reagan advocated for its elimination during his 1980 campaign. Trump has accused the department of "indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material." He expressed his intention to "close up the Department of Education" and shift educational responsibilities back to the states, endorsing universal school choice to allow parents more freedom in selecting schools for their children.
The proposal has sparked reactions in Congress, particularly from Democrats. Five Democratic lawmakers, including Senators Bernie Sanders and Tammy Baldwin, have expressed concern over Trump's plans, stating their commitment to not "stand by and allow this to happen" to the nation's educational system. They have requested information from Acting Secretary of Education Denise Carter on how the department plans to maintain program continuity and safeguard sensitive data amidst these potential changes.
Despite Trump's intentions, the dismantling of the Education Department cannot occur through an executive order alone; it requires congressional approval. Given the current political landscape, gaining the necessary support seems unlikely as it would require a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 53-47 majority. This means that at least seven Democrats would need to support the legislation.
Linda McMahon, Trump's nominee for education secretary, testified before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, expressing her commitment to working with Congress to potentially reorient the department. She acknowledged that the department could not be shut down without congressional action and emphasized the need to focus on providing quality education at the local level. McMahon reiterated that any significant changes would need to be presented in a plan that Congress could support.