President-elect Donald Trump has recently reiterated his pledge to abolish the Department of Education, calling for a 'virtual closure' of the department in Washington. In a Time magazine interview published on December 12, Trump emphasized his desire to shift education responsibilities back to the states, citing a focus on English and mathematics instruction.
Throughout his campaign, Trump has consistently criticized the Department of Education as a symbol of federal overreach into American families' lives. He has vowed to eliminate the agency, referring to it as part of the 'government education swamp' that misuses taxpayer dollars to influence youth.
The Department of Education was established as a Cabinet-level agency in 1979 by then-President Jimmy Carter, fulfilling a promise he made to the National Education Association. Prior to this, federal education programs were managed within other government departments.
While Trump has expressed his intention to shut down the Department of Education, he has not provided specific details on the process or the fate of federally funded education initiatives. Such a move would require congressional approval.
