The Trump administration is advancing plans to reduce the role of the Department of Education, aiming to shift more power to state governments. President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order that will direct the department to begin limiting its authority.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group led by Elon Musk, has been reviewing the agency’s operations as part of a broader effort to cut federal spending. Some members of the group have reportedly accessed Education Department systems as they analyze areas for restructuring.
While fully dismantling the department would require congressional approval, the administration appears focused on weakening its influence through executive action. The goal is to transfer decision-making on education policy away from Washington and give more control to states.
House Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg of Michigan has stated that Republicans are unlikely to succeed in abolishing the department entirely, but they can still work to “de-power” it. A 2023 effort to eliminate the agency failed in the House, highlighting the difficulty of passing such legislation.
The executive order is expected to reassign some of the department’s responsibilities, but it is unclear how quickly these changes will take effect. Some officials believe that the administration may wait until Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon is confirmed before taking additional steps.
The Trump administration has made it clear that reducing the size of the federal government is a priority. The Education Department is one of several agencies currently under review for potential cuts and restructuring.
