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Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle U.S. Department of Education

On a pivotal Thursday, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order targeting the U.S. Department of Education, setting in motion a plan to significantly reduce its scope and influence.

The Department plays a crucial role in managing the nation’s $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, extending financial support to low-income students, and upholding civil rights in educational settings across the United States. Despite the executive order’s impact, it is noteworthy that only Congress has the authority to abolish the department entirely. Nevertheless, the Trump administration has the power to diminish its functions by cutting back on funding and resources.

Earlier this month, the department initiated significant staff reductions, laying off almost half of its workforce. This move has resulted in the staffing of the department dropping from 4,133 employees at the start of Trump’s presidency to just 2,183.

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, affirmed during a press briefing that key functions of the Education Department, such as the management of federal student loans, would still operate, albeit in a scaled-down capacity.

Consumer advocates have voiced serious concerns regarding the repercussions of this executive order. Mitria Spotser, vice president and federal policy director at the Center for Responsible Lending, expressed that the decision does not align with the needs of students and families, asserting that it undermines public education, weakens civil rights enforcement, and favors corporate interests over a fundamental right to quality education.

The U.S. Department of Education was officially established in 1979 under former President Jimmy Carter. Throughout its history, it has encountered threats to its existence. Notably, former President Ronald Reagan has publicly called for its dissolution, and during his initial term, Trump attempted to merge the Department of Education with the Labor Department.

The current developments indicate a continuing trend of challenges faced by the Department of Education, reinforcing the ongoing debate surrounding the role of federal involvement in education.

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