President Trump Signs Order to Abolish Department of Education
President Donald Trump signed a long-anticipated executive order seeking to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, which he said was "45 years in the making."
"We're going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible," Trump said before signing the order Thursday. "It's doing us no good. We want to return our students to the states."
It comes a little more than a week after the agency announced it would lay off nearly half its staff as part of its "final mission" as the Trump administration follows through on its promise to cut federal bureaucracy.
The department supplies a small percentage of funding to public schools, enforces anti-discrimination laws and administers the Student Aid Program. It also oversees federal student loans held by nearly 43 million people, or 1 in 6 American adults, according to the Congressional Research Service.
THE WHITE HOUSE POSTED REACTIONS:
Today, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order to officially begin the process of closing the Department of Education. After more than four decades and over $3 trillion spent with virtually nothing to show for it, President Trump's bold plan will return education back where it belongs - with the states.
President Trump's executive action was met with immediate praise:
Gov. Greg Abbott: "At the White House right now. Headed to see President @realDonaldTrump return control of education back to the states-where it belongs."
Gov. Mike Braun: "Education is a state and local responsibility. I support President Trump's bold action to return education to where it belongs and to put parents in the driver's seat of their children's education. Indiana is leading the way, having jumped from a middle of the pack state to sixth in the nation in reading. Hoosiers know what our students need to succeed better than bureaucrats in D.C."
Gov. Jeff Landry: "The United States spends the most on education, yet we are ranked at the bottom of nearly every poll. The time for change is NOW! Thank you President @realDonaldTrump for returning education where it belongs- the states!"
Gov. Bill Lee: "Proud to be at the White House today as President @realDonaldTrump delivers on his promise to return education to the states & parents."
Gov. Kim Reynolds: "Education decisions should be made by those who know students best-parents, teachers, and local communities. Thank you, President @realDonaldTrump and @EDSecMcMahon, for your leadership and commitment to education freedom. It was an honor to attend today's historic signing - Iowa stands ready!"
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders: "President @realDonaldTrump knows the one-size-fits-all approach will never meet the needs of every child. Thank you, Mr. President for fighting for parents and students across the country!"
Gov. Kevin Stitt: "Today is a great day to dismantle the Department of Education."
Gov. Glenn Youngkin: "Virginia is ready to take full responsibility for K-12 education. We have implemented a high-expectations agenda that sets rigorous standards, holds schools accountable for results and prioritizes resources to the students and schools that need the most support. We welcome the federal government's shift of responsibility to the states-and we are grateful that President Trump's executive order does just that. The EO also makes it clear that there will be no discrimination in the classrooms. We will continue to ensure every student graduates career-, college-, or military-ready."
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy: "I agree with President Trump that the Department of Education has failed its mission. Since the Department can only be shut down with Congressional approval, I will support the President's goals by submitting legislation to accomplish this as soon as possible."
Sen. John Barrasso: "President Trump is improving America's education system. The true strength of our education system lies with the states and our local communities. Today's executive order sidelines the Washington bureaucracy and puts Wyoming parents in the driver's seat when it comes to their child's education."
Sen. Marsha Blackburn: "President Trump has my full support in eliminating the Department of Education. Bring the money back to states and with the students."
Sen. Markwayne Mullin: "Parents know the truth, and the data is clear: DC control of education is NOT working. One size doesn't fit all. @POTUS is empowering families, teachers, and local communities to improve outcomes and create greater opportunities for our students. Promises made, promises kept."
Sen. Rand Paul: "My father introduced legislation to eliminate the Dept of Education in the early 1980s. Rep. Massie continued the same bill - one sentence - and I've introduced the Senate version. Thanks to President Trump for working to return education to the states."
Sen. Rick Scott: "As the federal Department of Education has grown, student performance has consistently declined. @POTUS & @EDSecMcMahon's decisive action will empower parents, teachers & students to make decisions that drive students' success."
Sen. Tommy Tuberville: "The federal government doesn't belong in the classroom, plain and simple. Promises made, promises kept."
Speaker Mike Johnson: "For many decades, the federal Department of Education has failed our students, families, and teachers. Education is best administered by parents and teachers and those closest to students, not bureaucrats in Washington, DC. President Trump is keeping his promise and returning education to the states."