We don’t need no education. We don’t need no false control.
It would appear that Donald Trump is a Pink Floyd fan—at least proverbially. His latest move? A proverbial sledgehammer to the Department of Education, an institution long loathed by conservatives who see it as a bureaucratic swamp drowning states and local communities in red tape.
With a draft executive order reportedly set for Thursday, Trump is directing his newly minted Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, to begin dismantling the very agency she now leads. Not that he can shut it down with the stroke of a pen—Congress holds that power—but the order signals his intent to weaken it, cut staff, and shift its responsibilities elsewhere.
For Trump, it’s a matter of principle, ideology, and, let’s be honest, a bit of political theater. The argument is familiar: education should be a state and local affair, free from Washington’s influence. In practice, though, the federal government’s role is already limited—accounting for about 10% of K-12 funding and overseeing financial aid for college students.
But this isn’t just about efficiency. Trump has framed the move as part of his broader war on “woke” policies in schools and universities. The Department of Education enforces civil rights protections, funds special education, and manages student loans—all areas where Trump sees an opportunity to reshape policy.
The Long-Standing Conservative War on the Department of Education
The idea of eliminating the Department of Education (ED) has been a long-standing goal among conservatives. Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the department was created to centralize federal oversight of education policy. However, from its inception, conservatives have argued that education is best handled at the state and local levels, viewing the ED as an unnecessary layer of federal bureaucracy.
Ronald Reagan campaigned on abolishing the department in 1980 but ultimately did not follow through due to congressional opposition. The push to close it has resurfaced periodically, most notably in the Republican Party platforms of the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump’s renewed focus on dismantling the department aligns with this historical trend and reflects broader conservative priorities.
Trump’s Justifications for Closing the Education Department
1. Returning Power to States and Local Communities
Trump has consistently argued that education policy should be controlled by states, local governments, and parents rather than by Washington, DC. He has framed the closure of the ED as a way to reduce federal overreach and empower communities to make decisions about their schools. However, critics note that K-12 education is already primarily a state and local responsibility, with the federal government accounting for only about 10% of overall education funding.
2. Cutting Federal Bureaucracy and Reducing Government Spending
The Department of Education has an annual budget of approximately $79 billion and employs around 4,000 people. Trump and other Republicans argue that the department is inefficient and that many of its functions could be handled by states or other federal agencies. In particular, Trump has often linked the department to excessive regulation and red tape that he claims stifles school choice and innovation.
3. Eliminating Federal Oversight of Civil Rights in Education
The ED’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) enforces anti-discrimination laws in schools, ensuring compliance with Title IX (gender equity), Title VI (racial equity), and protections for students with disabilities. The Trump administration has been critical of the OCR’s role in enforcing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, which Trump has framed as left-wing overreach. By dismantling the department, he could weaken federal oversight of civil rights enforcement in education.
4. Reforming or Privatizing Federal Student Aid Programs
The ED oversees the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program, a target of criticism from Trump and many conservatives who argue that federal student lending has fueled rising college tuition costs. Trump has suggested shifting loan management to private entities or other federal agencies as part of a broader restructuring of higher education financing.
5. Shifting Education Priorities Away from DEI and “Woke” Policies
Trump has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of what he calls “woke” education policies, including diversity programs, critical race theory (CRT), and social-emotional learning (SEL). By dissolving the department, Trump could weaken federal influence over school curriculum and funding conditions tied to DEI initiatives.
6. Expanding School Choice and Vouchers
Trump has long supported school choice, including charter schools, private school vouchers, and education savings accounts. The ED administers Title I grants for low-income schools and other federal funds that states rely on. Trump’s plan to phase out the department could be a step toward redirecting these funds toward school choice initiatives.
Challenges to Closing the Department of Education
Congressional Approval Is Required
Trump does not have the authority to unilaterally close the department. The agency was created by the Department of Education Organization Act of 1979, meaning it would take an act of Congress to dismantle it. With Democrats and even some moderate Republicans likely to oppose the move, passage in the Senate (where 60 votes would be needed) is highly unlikely.
Legal Barriers to Moving Programs Elsewhere
Many of the department’s functions, such as federal student aid and civil rights enforcement, are legally tied to the ED. Even if Trump sought to transfer these functions to other agencies, such changes would require congressional approval.
Impact on Schools and Students
Critics warn that shutting down the department would create chaos for states, schools, and students who rely on federal funding for essential programs, including Title I grants for low-income schools and special education funding through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Public Backlash and Political Risks
Many Americans, including rural communities that rely on federal education grants, may oppose eliminating the department. Even within the Republican Party, some lawmakers see the move as too radical and potentially damaging to public schools.
A Political Move with Uncertain Outcomes
The real question: Can he actually pull it off? With just 53 Republican seats in the Senate, getting the 60 votes needed to eliminate the department outright is about as likely as Roger Waters and David Gilmour hugging it out on stage. The legal hurdles are just as daunting—the laws establishing the agency explicitly define its functions, and even transferring them elsewhere would require congressional approval.
Still, the message is clear. The Trump administration is setting the stage for a long battle over the future of federal education policy. Whether this is the first step toward dismantling the department or just another symbolic shot fired in the culture wars remains to be seen.
Either way, the echoes of Another Brick in the Wall ring louder than ever in Washington.