Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) warns that President Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education puts the entire country at risk.
In a statement, Scott highlighted Trump’s plan to sign an executive order on Thursday, attempting to disband the Education Division (ED) and return authority to individual states.
Scott argued that the move would have legal consequences and would be challenged in court, and that it would exacerbate existing disparities, reduce accountability, and put low-income, minority, disabled, rural, and ESL students at risk.
Trump’s executive order, first announced a few weeks ago, was initially scheduled for Thursday in the Eastern Room of the White House.
The move comes after federal agencies eliminated half of their employees, with Education Secretary Linda McMahon telling staff to prepare for their “final mission.”
Scott accused Republicans of not addressing the real issues facing students and families, saying the order is an attempt to distract from their agenda.
He argued that the order shows no respect for the irreparable harm it would cause students, educators, and the country’s future workforce.
Scott warned that the move would force committed civil servants with valuable institutional knowledge to leave the federal government, and they would be replaced by political appointees who answer only to billionaire Elon Musk.
He believes Trump is implementing his own education philosophy through the orders and dismantling of the department.
While Trump cannot shut down the department without Congressional help, he could weaken or reduce it and move Congress-mandated functions to other federal agencies.
