President Trump took bold action this week to shake up America’s failing education system. He signed an executive order to start dismantling the federal Department of Education, something he’s promised to do for years. Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a former WWE CEO, is leading the charge to send power back to states and parents.
The move aims to free schools from Washington bureaucrats who’ve wasted billions while student test scores keep dropping. Trump called the department a disaster, pointing out that math and reading skills are at historic lows. “We spend more than any country, but our kids aren’t learning,” he said. McMahon agreed, saying teachers need to focus on basics like reading and math instead of pushing political agendas.
Democrats and teachers unions blasted the decision, claiming it hurts students. But Trump isn’t buying it. “They want to keep control so they can push radical ideas,” he argued. McMahon added that states know their communities best and don’t need federal micromanagement. She’s already slashed half the department’s staff, cutting red tape so more money reaches classrooms.
The plan keeps funding for key programs like Pell Grants and special education but shifts control to states. McMahon promised no interruptions for families relying on assistance. “We’re trimming fat, not cutting services,” she said. Governors will decide how to use resources, freeing schools from rules that tie teachers’ hands.
Critics claim closing the department is impossible without Congress. Trump knows that fight is coming but believes voters will back him. “Parents are fed up with schools failing their kids,” McMahon said. She’s meeting with governors to share strategies that work, like school choice programs that let parents escape failing schools.
Some worry about civil rights protections if federal oversight ends. McMahon insists those concerns are overblown. “States have every reason to protect students,” she said, noting existing laws still apply. The Justice Department might take over some oversight, ensuring fairness without education bureaucrats.
Trump’s order is a win for conservatives who’ve wanted to close the department since Reagan. For decades, Washington has pushed one-size-fits-all policies that don’t work. By returning power locally, Trump and McMahon believe schools can focus on teaching instead of paperwork.
The battle is just starting, but Trump’s team is confident. “We’re putting kids first, not unions or politicians,” McMahon said. As the federal footprint shrinks, families might finally see the change they’ve been demanding—schools that educate, not indoctrinate.
