The Trump administration is moving to cut Washington out of how schools are run. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Thursday that six new partnerships between agencies will give more control to state leaders, superintendents, and local school boards.
“The Democrat’s government shutdown proved, without a doubt, American’s don’t need the Department of Education,” McMahon said during White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt’s news briefing.
She added, “That’s why our final mission as a department is to fully empower states to carry the torch of our educational renaissance. Education is local. It should be overseen locally by those who best know local needs.”
Leavitt also praised the move. “This common sense action brings the Trump Administration much closer to finally bringing education where it belongs — at the state and local level, not in Washington, D.C.,” she said.
🚨BREAKING: White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt just announced that the Trump administration will close the Department of Education. pic.twitter.com/eDWUI5CsRy
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) November 20, 2025
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The plan will transfer billions in federal grants to other agencies, including the Department of Labor. This includes big funding streams for low-income schools through Title I programs. McMahon said this will help students and reduce bureaucratic interference.
But critics are worried the changes will leave students behind, especially those who need extra support.
The Department of Education insures that ALL children receive an education. The biggest expense for School Districts is for children who need extra attention when in school. By eliminating the DOE these children will be neglected.
— BBfan-WC (@DMSWC) November 20, 2025
If this is true, it would be unprecedented. The Department of Education oversees federal funding, student loans, and education policy nationwide shutting it down would create massive disruptions for schools, teachers, and students. Curious to see how they propose managing those…
— Apex (@obyApex) November 20, 2025
Eliminating the Department of Education would be a serious mistake. Federal funding through Title I, IDEA special education grants, Pell Grants, and civil rights enforcement in schools all flow through the DoE. Without it, low-income students, kids with disabilities, and college…
— Dr. Cole (@1drcole) November 20, 2025
Leavitt confirms it: Trump will close the Department of Education. Don’t be fooled. This is about moving taxpayer money into his empire, not helping students.
— Chetter 📢🗽⚖💙 Beacon for Democracy (@ChetterHub) November 20, 2025
Of course they will because they don’t believe Americans deserve anything from their government only more huge tax breaks for Corporations and the Rich Elite the rest of us only get to pay for it.
— Bill Foster (@wmrfoster) November 20, 2025
An uneducated populace benefits the republican party, something we can all witness in the present day.
— Mike Brown (@yesitsmikebrown) November 20, 2025
Some educators say states may not have the expertise to handle complicated federal programs. Moving everything too fast could create gaps in services for children who rely on specialized programs.
The Department of Labor will now manage major funding previously overseen by the Department of Education. Schools and state leaders will have to adapt quickly to handle both the money and the rules that come with it.
Featured image via X screengrab
