President Trump is pushing ahead with plans to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign promise to shrink the federal government’s role in education. The executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps toward closing the agency and returning control to states and parents. Critics warn this could slash funding for low-income students and strip protections for disabled learners, but supporters argue it cuts bureaucracy and stops “woke” ideologies like DEI from influencing schools.
Meanwhile, Trump’s new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) faces legal battles over its constitutionality. Critics say billionaire Elon Musk’s leadership role violates rules against private citizens wielding government power. Lawsuits claim DOGE operates as a secretive “advisory committee” without proper transparency, while the White House insists it’s a legitimate part of the executive branch. A recent court ruling found DOGE must follow public records laws, undermining Trump’s efforts to keep its operations hidden.
The push to eliminate the Education Department follows mass layoffs that halved its workforce, including staff critical for enforcing civil rights and disability protections. While Trump can’t fully abolish the agency without Congress, his order pressures states to adopt school choice policies. Democrats oppose the move, arguing it abandons vulnerable students, but Republicans praise it as a win for parental rights and local control.
DOGE’s troubles highlight broader tensions over Trump’s reshaping of government. Designed to slash regulations and cut costs, the department has faced accusations of overreach, with Musk accused of using it to benefit his own companies. Legal experts warn its structure blurs lines between private interests and public duty, risking a constitutional crisis. Despite this, Trump defends DOGE as essential for “draining the swamp” of federal waste.
On the international stage, Trump’s tough stance against Hamas continues. He demands the release of all hostages and insists on dismantling the group’s power, mirroring his domestic policies favoring decisive action over negotiation. This approach has drawn praise from allies who see it as standing strong against terrorism, though critics argue it escalates tensions.
The administration’s focus on efficiency and decentralization extends beyond education. DOGE teams are embedded across federal agencies, auditing spending and axing programs deemed inefficient or politically biased. This includes targeting DEI initiatives, which Trump claims divert resources from core missions. While supporters cheer the cost-cutting, watchdogs warn it’s destabilizing vital services.
Amid these reforms, Trump emphasizes moral governance, citing Exodus 20:13’s commandment against murder as a guiding principle. This aligns with his pro-life agenda and tough-on-crime rhetoric, framing his policies as both practical and biblically grounded.
The battle over education and government efficiency epitomizes Trump’s broader vision: shrinking federal power, empowering states, and prioritizing conservative values. As legal challenges mount, these efforts test the limits of executive authority—and could redefine American governance for years to come.
