Republicans quickly praised President Trump's latest executive order to dismantle the Department of Education on Thursday, but Democrats denounced the administration for “betraying our children.”
“Trying to dismantle the Department of Education is one of the most devastating and devastating measures Donald Trump has ever taken,” Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer, DN.Y., said in a statement.
“This horrifying decision by Donald Trump is felt in the quality of education that teachers, parents, school leaders and children receive. Property taxes nationwide rise, but the quality of many schools declines. The president can't create departments, and they can't be ruled out either.
The sentiment was repeated by House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries, Dn.Y. He said, “It was made possible by compliant House Republicans.
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Trump holds the executive order after signing in the Eastern Room of the White House in Washington on March 20, 2025. (Mandel Ngan)
“Class sizes skyrocket, educators are fired, special education programs are cut, and universities become even more expensive, so it becomes even more expensive,” Jeffries said.
“Donald Trump and House Republicans are crashing the economy in real time. They believe that giving billionaires a massive tax credit is more important than supporting children in public schools. Congress has created a Department of Education, and only Congressional acts can eliminate it.
“The court must act to support the rule of law and to stop Donald Trump's tyrannical grip on power.”
Trump signed the order Thursday after previewing his plans for months. His choice to lead the department, Linda McMahon, is making a perfect effort, as confirmed by the Senate a few weeks ago and signalled by attending the signing event.
“Donald Trump betrays our children and our families,” said House Democrat Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass. “Republicans have committed to making life easier and safer for working families. Panic just as they drag us into the recession.”
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Schumer called the move “destructive and devastating.” (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
“I agree with President Trump that the Department of Education has failed that mission,” R-La. The Senate Committee Committee, Chairman Bill Cassidy (Help), told Fox News Digital in a statement. “The department can only be closed with Congressional approval, so we support the President's goals by bringing the law to achieve this as soon as possible.”
“President Trump has received my full support in eliminating the Department of Education. Please bring the funds back to the state and with the students,” Senator Marsha Blackburn wrote in X.
Andy Harris, R-Md, Chair of House Freedom Caucus. writes to X:
“President Tim Kane (D-Va.) said in a statement: “President Trump's executive order that obstructs the U.S. Department of Education highlights how he is in contact with students, parents and educators. The order has a negative impact on all students and undermines economic growth and competitiveness.”
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Linda McMahon has been confirmed to be an education secretary. (Getty Images/Reuters/Fox News Digital)
In a statement, House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) said, “The key to improving education is to empower parents and students and reduce the role of Washington bureaucrats. Over the past four years, the country has seen the results of empowering the Department of Education. Around the country, it has repeatedly pushed the student loan obligations of wealthy people to middle-class taxpayers, pushing forward the radical gender ideology that has been repeatedly slapped by courts as unconstitutional.”
“We have Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who understands the importance of not getting in the way of the federal government, and I look forward to working with her to drive the federal government away from the background of students, families, educators and taxpayers,” he added.
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Trump signed the order Thursday. (Reuters/Evelyn Hockstein/File Photo/File Photo)
“In conclusion, the Department of Education has failed to deliver results for American students, and today's actions by the Trump administration will help ensure that young people in our country are placed first.”
At the signing ceremony on Thursday, Trump explained that “the useful features of the department are… funding resources for one title for children with disabilities, special needs and other funding resources will be fully preserved.”
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“They will be fully preserved and redistributed to various other institutions and departments.
“But beyond these core needs, my administration will take all legal steps to shut down the department,” Trump announced.
The move to dismantle the education sector comes amid an offensive overhaul of government efficiency through Elon Musk, in order to significantly reduce federal bureaucracy.
