The Trump administration is moving forward with efforts to limit the power of the Department of Education, with an executive order expected to direct the agency to scale back its operations. This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s long-standing position that education should be controlled by state and local governments rather than federal bureaucrats.
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has been analyzing the department’s spending and structure. Some DOGE staff members have reportedly accessed internal systems as part of the review process. The group has been instrumental in identifying areas where the federal government can cut costs.
Eliminating the department entirely would require approval from Congress, where a 2023 effort to abolish the agency failed. Republican lawmakers, including House Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg of Michigan, have instead pushed to scale back its authority by shifting responsibilities to the states.
The executive order is expected to initiate the transfer of certain functions to state governments and other federal agencies. While some duties are legally mandated, others can be reassigned without requiring congressional action.
The administration has not provided a specific timeline for the order’s release. Some sources suggest that Trump may wait until Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon is confirmed before proceeding with additional steps. So far, no confirmation hearing has been scheduled.
This effort to reduce the department’s power is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to cut federal spending and streamline government operations. Other agencies are also under review as part of the administration’s plan to restructure the federal workforce.
