President Trump just made a huge move to shrink the federal government. He signed an executive order to start taking apart the Department of Education. This has been a longtime goal for conservatives who say states should handle schools, not Washington.
Greg Kelly on NEWSMAX called this a “win for American families.” He said the Education Department became a bloated bureaucracy that pushed liberal agendas in schools. Kelly praised Trump for keeping his promise to return power to local communities. Texas leaders quickly backed the move. Governor Greg Abbott said Texas can manage its own schools better without federal interference.
Critics are panicking. Democrats claim closing the Education Department will hurt poor students and minority communities. They say it could lead to less funding for schools in need. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona called the decision “disastrous” for children. But conservatives argue the department wasted taxpayer money for decades without improving test scores.
The fight goes back to 1979 when President Carter created the department. Republicans have wanted to eliminate it ever since. President Reagan tried to dismantle it in the 1980s but failed. Now Trump is finishing what Reagan started. Supporters say this will stop Washington from forcing controversial topics like critical race theory into classrooms.
Some worry about student loans and federal grants. The Trump team says those programs will move to other agencies. But details are still fuzzy. Parents’ rights groups cheer the change. They believe local school boards should set curriculum, not distant bureaucrats. Moms like Amy Johnson from Ohio told reporters they’re tired of “DC elites dictating what our kids learn.”
Teachers unions are furious. They’ve already announced lawsuits to block the move. Union boss Randi Weingarten called it an attack on public education. Meanwhile, conservative think tanks are drawing up plans to help states take control. Experts predict red states will slash “woke” programs while blue states push harder for federal-style policies locally.
This could be a major issue in the 2026 midterms. Republicans plan to campaign on “freeing schools from Washington control.” Democrats will warn about inequality in education funding. For now, the White House is moving fast. Officials aim to shut down the department within 18 months – just before the next presidential election.
Trump’s order fulfills a core promise to his base. Supporters see it as draining the swamp. One MAGA voter said, “Finally, our kids won’t be taught to hate America.” The battle over education is now heading to the states – where many conservatives believe these decisions belong.
