Trump is preparing an executive order aimed at dismantling the U.S. Department of Education, fulfilling a long-standing campaign promise to reduce federal involvement in education. While only Congress has the authority to officially close the department, Trump’s plan focuses on shrinking it from within, according to The Washington Post.
According to three sources familiar with the draft order, the executive action directs the Education Department to begin reducing its size and influence. This effort is already underway, with the administration placing numerous employees on administrative leave and pressuring others to resign voluntarily.
Adding to the shake-up, about 20 staffers from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have been embedded inside the Education Department. DOGE, a group tasked with slashing government bureaucracy, has started reviewing spending and staffing levels to identify areas for cuts.
Sources told The Washington Post that DOGE staffers have gained access to sensitive internal systems, including financial aid databases containing personal information for millions of students enrolled in federal student aid programs. The access to this data has raised alarms about the security and privacy of student information during the department’s ongoing restructuring.
This internal dismantling is just the first step in a broader effort. The White House confirmed that it is preparing executive action later this month to defund the Education Department entirely, making good on Trump’s pledge to eliminate the agency.
While Congress would need to approve the complete shutdown, the Trump administration’s strategy of cutting staff, slashing budgets, and embedding DOGE operatives signals a serious push to weaken the department’s role in federal education policy.
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