President Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday aimed at shutting down the Education Department, according to two administration officials familiar with the matter.
The unprecedented order that USA Today first reported on, if acted upon, could have widespread ramifications for state and local governments and students and families across the country.
The Department of Education disperses critical financial aid and grant programs and is responsible for ensuring equity in education access and quality across the U.S.
The executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon “to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States” while ensuring “uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely,” according to a White House summary seen by Axios.
The order “directs that programs or activities receiving any remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology,” per the summary.
This directive follows Trump’s executive order on ending federal diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
McMahon told Fox News earlier this month mass layoffs in the Education Department marked the first step in Trump’s plans for a total shutdown of the agency.
The executive order has been in the works since the days of the Trump transition, according to the Wall Street Journal, which first reported on the shutdown plans.
“NAEP scores reveal a national crisis — our children are falling behind,” said Harrison Fields, White House principal deputy press secretary, in an emailed statement on Wednesday night that blamed Democrats’ policies for the situation.
“President Trump’s executive order to expand educational opportunities will empower parents, states, and communities to take control and improve outcomes for all students.”
Trump’s order is a step toward fulfilling one of his campaign promises: removing federal oversight of states’ public education systems.
The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 recommended eliminating the department to achieve that goal.
McMahon echoed Trump’s pledge to abolish the department she was nominated to lead during her Senate confirmation hearing, but acknowledged it would likely require Congressional approval.
