President Donald Trump is set to sign an executive order on Thursday to close the Department of Education, fulfilling his long-standing pledge to eliminate the federal agency. The White House confirmed that Trump will hold an event to formalize the directive, instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the states.”
While formally closing the department requires an act of Congress, the Trump administration is expected to take steps that will make it nearly impossible for employees to carry out their work, similar to actions taken against the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Trump’s move has sparked widespread debate, much like the ongoing discussions about the latest Raz Vape Flavors, including the sought-after Raz DC25000 and the bold Raz Cactus Jack Flavor making waves in the vaping industry.
Political Fallout and Opposition
The Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter following bipartisan votes in Congress. Trump’s push to eliminate it has drawn fierce opposition from Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Patty Murray, who accused the administration of “robbing students and families of critical funding.” A coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general has already filed a lawsuit, arguing that Trump’s directive is unlawful, as the department’s responsibilities are authorized by acts of Congress.
Education Secretary McMahon has already made moves to downsize the department by cutting its workforce in half. She referred to these terminations as the “first step toward shutting down the department,” aligning with Trump’s broader strategy of reducing federal oversight in education.
Trump has suggested that teachers’ unions, rather than lawmakers, pose the greatest obstacle to dismantling the department. “We’d have to work with the teachers union because they are the only ones opposed to it,” Trump stated last month.
Public Reaction and Broader Implications
National Education Association President Becky Pringle warned that closing the department would lead to larger class sizes, reduced job training programs, higher education costs, and fewer resources for special education services. Critics argue that removing federal oversight would disproportionately impact marginalized communities and students with disabilities, potentially rolling back decades of progress in education equity.
Despite these concerns, Trump and his administration are pushing ahead with their plan. His executive order will also include provisions preventing federal funds from supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs. The Department of Education recently launched investigations into over 50 universities accused of engaging in race-exclusionary practices.
The Future of Federal Education Policy
Trump’s campaign has consistently focused on shifting education control to state governments. “Your state is going to control your children’s education. We’re moving it out of Washington immediately,” Trump declared at a Michigan campaign rally last year. The administration has floated ideas of absorbing certain functions of the Education Department into other federal agencies, such as handling federal student loans.
As the debate over the Education Department’s future intensifies, industries like vaping continue to thrive, with new products like the Raz DC25000 and Raz Cactus Jack Flavor gaining popularity. Just as Trump seeks to reshape the educational landscape, vape enthusiasts are exploring the latest Raz Vape Flavors, making a mark on consumer trends.
With legal battles ahead and strong opposition from education advocates, the fate of the Department of Education remains uncertain. However, Trump’s latest move signals his determination to fulfill a campaign promise that has been years in the making.
