Trump's Plan to Shut Down the Education Department: What's the Deal?

The White House is buzzing with talk about a potential executive order to shut down the Department of Education. This news, first leaked by The Washington Post, has been making waves. The draft, labeled "pre-decisional, " was circulated on Wednesday and obtained by NPR. It directs the newly confirmed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start the process of closing the department. The draft argues that federal control over education has failed students. However, legally, the president can't just shut down a department. It would need Congress's approval, and that's a tall order. Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, but closing the department would likely require 60 votes. Trump has long promised to close the department, aiming to return education decisions to the states. This idea isn't new; other Republicans, like Ronald Reagan and Ted Cruz, have considered it. Supporters see it as a way to reduce federal overreach and save taxpayer dollars. But critics worry about accountability. Without the department, who will ensure schools follow laws against discrimination based on gender, race, and disability? The Department of Education does more than just enforce laws. It provides federal grants to underfunded schools and manages $1. 6 trillion in student loans. That's a lot of money and a lot of students who might be affected. Trump has been vocal about his concerns with the department, criticizing schools for teaching what he considers inappropriate content. He's also accused the department of being infiltrated by radicals. Margaret Spellings, former education secretary under President George W. Bush, has a different view. She acknowledges room for improvement but questions the motive and method of such a drastic change. The executive order could come as early as Thursday. But closing the department? That's a whole different story. It would need significant Democratic support, and that's not guaranteed.