President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, dismantling the Department of Education. The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to reallocate services and facilitate the closure of the Department of Education.
Trump cited the national assessment of education progress and recounted lowered proficiency in reading and math scores. The report showed 70% of 8th graders were below proficiency in reading.
“The federal education bureaucracy is not working,” said Trump via the executive order. “Closing the Department of Education would provide children and their families the opportunity to escape a system that is failing them.”
The department regulated and funded special education services. The closure of the education department leaves state governments and the Department of Health and Human Services to regulate special education resources.
The department annually handles $1.6 trillion in student loans, according to the White House. Trump says he wants to return the power over education to states and communities. Trump stated this should be done without interruption of programs and services that Americans rely on.
According to Trump, the free application for federal student aid, also known as FAFSA, would remain unaffected. Federal loans typically have lower interest rates than private loans but if FAFSA is affected during the transition period, 61% of students at SUU who rely on federal loans are at risk. The U.S. Small Business Administration will handle student loans moving forward.
“The Department of Education is not a bank, and it must return bank functions to an entity equipped to serve America’s students,” said Trump.
Without an act from Congress, Trump cannot fully dismantle the department but some Senators began drafting legislation to fully dismantle the department.
Author: Hannah Clove
Photo courtesy of Nathan Howard
Editor: Anna Mower
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