As President Donald Trump considers his next steps in fulfilling his longstanding campaign promise to eliminate the Department of Education, experts are weighing in on the feasibility, challenges, and potential ramifications of such a significant policy shift. Reports indicate that Trump’s team is contemplating an executive order aimed at dismantling the agency, following a Wall Street Journal article highlighting these discussions.

Trump’s Vision for Education Reform

In a 2023 campaign video, Trump stated, “One thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, DC, and sending all education and education work it needs back to the states.” A White House official confirmed that the administration is actively reevaluating the department’s future as part of Trump’s commitment to reshape federal education policies.

Expert Opinions on the Plan

Jonathan Butcher, Will Skillman Senior Research Fellow in Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, expressed support for Trump’s initiative. “The administration is right to push to eliminate the ineffective and unpopular Department of Education,” he told Fox News Digital. Butcher recommended that Congress should “advance policy to eliminate most of the agency’s programs and spending while moving remaining programs to other federal agencies.” He emphasized that Congress should also consider creating block grants for large spending programs, such as Title I, to allow states greater autonomy in educational decision-making.

Butcher also outlined several approaches Trump could take: declaring the Department of Education’s powers unconstitutional, relocating the agency out of Washington, D.C., and even scaling back employee positions. However, he cautioned that such moves would still require congressional support to override existing union contracts and appropriations.

The Legislative Challenge

According to Julian Epstein, a veteran Democratic strategist and former chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, Trump will likely need congressional action to eliminate the Department of Education entirely. Epstein noted that this statutory agency can’t simply be dismantled without legislative approval, hinting that Trump might need to “figure out how to do it through reconciliation.” He warned that eliminating the department could create complications for Trump, as it plays a vital role in enforcing policies related to civil rights and educational equity.

Historical Context: The Birth of the DOE

The Department of Education (DOE) was established in 1979 by former President Jimmy Carter, separating it from the Department of Health and Human Services. Its primary functions include overseeing federal student aid and ensuring equal access to education for students across the United States. Since its inception, the DOE has been a point of contention between political parties, with Republicans often advocating for local control of education while Democrats argue for the department’s role in upholding civil rights and addressing systemic inequalities in education.

Public and Political Reactions

Support for dismantling the DOE has garnered attention from various factions within the Republican Party, with many party members arguing that education decisions should be made at the state and local levels. On the other side of the aisle, Democrats maintain that a federal education department provides essential stability and an avenue for enforcing universal educational standards and policies.

Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has previously voiced his support for cutting back on federal education bureaucracy, asserting that the department contributes to government waste. However, experts warn that a full-scale elimination of the DOE could eliminate essential protections for marginalized groups and destabilize the educational landscape.

What Lies Ahead?

Experts who shared their insights with Fox News Digital in November echoed the sentiment that any attempt to dissolve the department would require significant bipartisan cooperation in Congress. Andrew Stoltmann, an attorney and law professor, emphasized that eliminating the Department of Education cannot be achieved without congressional action, which would likely need a supermajority of 60 votes in the Senate. “Even if Trump can commit to eliminating the agency, he’d need to win over some Democrats, which is likely to be a difficult task,” he said.

Stoltmann suggested an alternative approach: appointing someone who acts as a “figurehead” for the DOE. This strategy may not eliminate the agency outright but could effectively limit its functions and influence during Trump’s term.

Conclusion

The move to eliminate the Department of Education underscores a broader ideological divide in American politics regarding the role of federal government in local affairs, particularly in education. While Trump aims to fulfill his promise to his supporters, the collision of federal policies with state rights and the need for bipartisan cooperation presents potential hurdles. The implications of such a shift could have far-reaching effects on public education in America.

As the Trump administration considers its next steps, the complexity of legislative processes, public sentiment, and stakeholder interests will undoubtedly shape the future of education policy in the United States.