US President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive action as early as Thursday, instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of closing the US Department of Education, according to a draft of the order obtained by NPR.
The move, which has been anticipated since early February, follows McMahon’s confirmation as Education Secretary on Monday, despite unanimous opposition from Senate Democrats. McMahon, a former business executive and professional wrestling industry leader, had publicly committed to dismantling the department during her confirmation hearings.
Who is Linda McMahon?
Linda McMahon, 76, is a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a longtime Trump ally. She previously served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from 2017 to 2019, where she focused on economic growth and entrepreneurship.
McMahon has been a major political donor and twice ran unsuccessfully for US Senate in Connecticut before joining the Trump administration. Her nomination as Education Secretary was controversial, given her lack of experience in public education and her stated goal to dismantle the department.
Trump Administration's Justification for Closure
The draft executive action argues that the federal government’s role in education has failed, stating:
"Since its founding in 1979, the Department of Education has spent more than $1 trillion without producing virtually any improvement in student reading and mathematics scores."
Trump’s order calls on McMahon to act “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law”, recognizing that Congress created the department, meaning its full closure would require legislative approval. Any attempt to eliminate the department entirely would likely face resistance in the Democrat-controlled Senate, where 60 votes would be needed to bypass a filibuster.
Federal Role in US Education System
Unlike in many countries where education is centrally managed, the United States’ education system is primarily controlled at the state and local level. Federal funding accounts for only about 10% of public school budgets, with most resources coming from state and local taxes.
However, the US Department of Education plays a crucial role in supporting low-income students, rural schools, and children with disabilities. It oversees federal funding and policies but does not dictate what schools teach, as curriculum decisions are made by individual states and local school districts.
The draft order argues that federal oversight has been ineffective, particularly citing little improvement in reading scores since 1992, based on data from The Nation’s Report Card, a long-running measure of student achievement. While math scores did improve, progress was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which left many students struggling years after school closures.
McMahon Signals Support for Department Closure
Within hours of her confirmation, McMahon addressed Education Department staff, urging them to embrace the opportunity to shut down the agency, calling it:
"Our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students."
The White House has not officially commented on the executive action, and the proposal is expected to spark significant political debate. Democrats and education advocates are likely to challenge the plan, arguing that it could disrupt funding for vulnerable students and weaken national education standards.
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