Presidential Executive Order on the Closure of the U.S. Department of Education (2025)

The presidential executive order on the closure of the U.S. Department of Education is an administrative and legal process initiated by President Donald Trump on March 20, 2025. The order aims to devolve federal authority over education to the states and terminate the operations of the Department.

An image of Donald Trump signing a presidential decree to close the US Department of Education, March 20, 2025 - Anadolu Agency

Background

The U.S. Department of Education was established in 1979 by an act of Congress under the administration of President Jimmy Carter. Its founding purpose was to consolidate various federal education programs under a single structure and ensure the coordination of national education policy. The Department has been responsible for the distribution of federal education funding, management of student loan programs, support initiatives for low-income and disabled students, and enforcement of anti-discrimination regulations in federally funded schools.

Content of the Executive Order

With the executive order signed on March 20, 2025, President Donald Trump officially launched the process of dismantling the Department of Education. The order declares that federal education policies have failed, that the centralized structure has not improved student achievement, and that bureaucracy has hindered progress in education. In particular, the Department’s use of funds during the COVID-19 pandemic and its administration of the federal student loan system are cited as areas of concern.

According to the executive order:

• Secretary of Education Linda McMahon is instructed to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department and transfer educational authority to the states.
• It is emphasized that all programs and services currently provided by the Department must continue without disruption.
• Funding may no longer be used for programs associated with concepts such as “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) or “gender ideology.”

An image of Donald Trump signing a presidential decree to close the US Department of Education, March 20, 2025 - Anadolu Agency

Justification

The Trump administration characterizes the Department of Education as an institution that neither educates students nor employs teachers or sets curricula. It argues that student academic performance has remained low and criticizes the Department for operating the student loan system as though it were a bank, despite lacking the institutional capacity for such functions. The executive order states that the Department’s student loan portfolio has grown to $1.6 trillion and asserts that this responsibility should be transferred to other appropriate agencies.

Legal and Institutional Framework

The executive order itself does not dissolve the Department of Education. According to the U.S. Constitution, the full abolition of a federal cabinet-level department requires congressional approval. As such, the order initiates the process but cannot take effect without legislative authorization.

Although Republicans hold a 53-seat majority in the Senate, passing such legislation would require 60 votes. Several Democratic senators and some Republicans have voiced opposition to the plan.

Reactions and Criticism

The executive order has elicited widespread reaction from the public and political figures. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer described the move as “horrible” and called on the courts to intervene against what he called executive overreach. He further stated that “attempting to dismantle the Department of Education is one of the most destructive and devastating steps Donald Trump has ever taken.” Teachers' unions and civil society organizations have also initiated legal proceedings to challenge the order.

Institutional Reorganization and Implementation

According to statements from the White House, the Department’s existing responsibilities are expected to be transferred to other federal agencies, although these agencies are not named in the order. President Trump has stated that support for student loan programs, services for students with disabilities, and funding for schools in low-income areas will continue, but under the administration of other entities. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was tasked with “taking all necessary steps” to facilitate the Department’s closure and the transfer of its functions.