The Trump administration is preparing to scale back the Department of Education, taking the first steps toward reducing federal influence over local schools. President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing the department to limit its scope and shift responsibilities elsewhere.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an advisory group led by Elon Musk, has been involved in the process, reviewing the agency’s internal operations. Some members of the group have reportedly accessed Education Department systems as they look for areas to cut spending.
While a complete elimination of the department would require congressional approval, the administration appears focused on rolling back its authority where possible. The executive order is expected to reassign certain functions to states, reinforcing Trump’s stance that education policy should not be dictated by Washington.
Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan, chairman of the House Education Committee, has suggested that while fully abolishing the department may not be feasible, scaling back its power is a more realistic goal. In 2023, a Republican-led effort to dismantle the agency failed in Congress, making it unlikely that a full repeal would pass.
The Trump administration has not announced a timeline for the executive order, but some officials believe it will come after the confirmation of Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon. No hearing date has been set yet.
The administration’s efforts to restructure the Department of Education reflect a larger push to shrink the federal government. Similar actions are expected across multiple agencies as Trump moves forward with his agenda to cut spending and reduce bureaucratic oversight.
