Leaked Memo Reveals Trump Executive Order to Eliminate Education Department
By The Chronicle Collective Updated March 5, 2025 9:51 pm ET
President Donald Trump intends to issue an executive order as soon as Thursday to abolish the Department of Education, aiming to shift oversight of America’s schools to the states, according to a leaked internal memo. This directive, which has been under consideration since Trump’s transition, signals a major push to fulfill a campaign promise throughout significant legal and political challenges.
A draft of the executive order, reviewed by The Wall Street Journal, instructs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department” within the limits of current law. The document, labeled “pre-decisional” and subject to revision, states, “The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars—and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support—has failed our children, our teachers, and our families.” Sources indicate that discussions about dismantling the agency surfaced as early as February, when the Journal reported administration officials exploring the idea.
McMahon addressed the plan in an email to staff on Monday night, shortly after her Senate confirmation. “President Trump and the American voters have tasked us with accomplishing the elimination of the bureaucratic bloat here at the Education Department—a momentous final mission—quickly and responsibly,” she wrote. She emphasized a goal to “send education back to the states.” The White House did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Fully disbanding the department requires more than an executive action, experts caution. Legal analysts note that a 60-vote, filibuster-proof majority in the Senate would be necessary to repeal the laws authorizing its key programs, such as funding for students with disabilities and student loans—initiatives with strong public backing. The draft order omits any reference to Congress, prompting questions about its scope. Julia Martin, an education lawyer at the Bruman Group, explained, “It’s hard to think of functions that aren’t statutorily required in large part because most are, or are in service of those functions.”
During her confirmation hearing, McMahon clarified that Trump seeks to improve efficiency in federal programs, not eliminate them outright. She acknowledged, however, that closing the department hinges on congressional approval.
The Trump administration has already taken measures to scale back the agency. Reports confirm layoffs of probationary employees, buyouts offered to others, and the suspension of some civil rights enforcement activities. Grants and contracts for research and teacher quality have been terminated. Additionally, the department’s civil rights division has redirected efforts toward addressing antisemitism on college campuses, transgender accommodations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.
Created in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the Education Department has faced conservative criticism for decades. Frustration peaked during the Biden administration over issues like student loan forgiveness, a problematic financial-aid form rollout, and expanded transgender protections—grievances Trump capitalized on with his pledge to dismantle the agency. With approximately 4,500 employees as of last year, it remains the smallest cabinet-level department.
Recent polls reveals that most Americans doubt the abolition, and Democrats have againist it, citing the department’s role in supporting schools and students. The programs it oversees touch millions, from special education to higher education financing. Advocates of the plan argue it will curb federal overreach, while critics warn of disruption to vital services.
In conclusion, Trump’s forthcoming executive order sets the stage for a contentious fight over the future of federal education policy. Its success depends on navigating legal limits and securing congressional support—a tall order in a divided Washington.
