Multiple reports warned that President Donald Trump is preparing an executive order to impose severe cutbacks on the U.S. Department of Education and eventually shut the agency down.
The following article is a part of University Business’ ongoing coverage of President Donald J. Trump’s impact on higher education during his second term in office. Click here for the latest updates.
The Wall Street Journal reports that the Department of Education is the next target of Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) program to shrink the federal government. Trump is apparently preparing an executive order that would eliminate “all functions of the agency that aren’t written explicitly into statute,” the report said.
Trump may also ask Congress to “abolish” the department, the Wall Street Journal contends. In characterizing the situation, ABC News said Trump was “finalizing plans” to shutter the agency.
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Throughout his campaign, Trump made clear his intentions to make dramatic changes to the U.S. Department of Education and the K12 and higher education systems. His administration has already eliminated the agency’s DEI initiatives, moved to expand school choice and root out so-called “indoctrination” in K12 instruction.
Despite its uncertain future, the agency is preparing to crack down on campus anti-Semitism in the wake of protests against Israel’s actions in the Gaza war. By executive order, Trump directed the Department of Education and other agencies to identify all civil and criminal powers to curb anti-Semitism on campus.
The order requires the secretaries of state, education and homeland security to work together to guide colleges and universities to monitor “alien students and staff” and report any anti-Semitic activities. These students and staff could then be investigated and “removed,” the order says.
The agency also wiped out Title IX updates made by the Biden administration, reverting to rules imposed during the first Trump administration. The department is now enforcing protections based on biological sex in K12 schools and higher education institutions.
Trump’s 2020 ruling also ensures that free speech is protected on campus and allows for stronger due process protections for students during Title IX sexual misconduct proceedings.
In recent days, the Trump administration has acted in other ways to reduce the size of the federal government. The Office of Management and Budget has offered buyouts to federal employees and DOGE has taken steps to close USAID, the federal humanitarian aid agency.
