Trump Administration Moves to Dismantle Education Department

Wed Nov 19 2025 02:32:55 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The Trump administration is reallocating the functions of the Education Department to other federal agencies, marking a significant shift in the management of education funding and support in the U.S.

In a bold move signaling the Trump administration's intention to dismantle the Education Department, key responsibilities will be transferred to various federal agencies including Labor and Health and Human Services. While the administration claims that this will not impede federal funding to states and schools, concerns arise about how well these agencies can manage the educational support traditionally provided by the Education Department. The plan also raises questions about the impact on vulnerable student populations who depend on federal assistance.

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a decisive move that highlights President Donald Trump’s ongoing effort to dismantle the Education Department, several major offices within the agency will be reallocated to other federal departments. This reorganization aims to transfer responsibilities traditionally handled by the Education Department to agencies such as Labor and Interior, as part of a broader strategy to close the department entirely.

Education officials assure that allocations of federal funding to states, schools, and colleges will remain intact, although it is uncertain whether existing staff will retain their jobs post-reorganization. Trump has long criticized the department for being dominated by liberal policy and has expressed intentions to break it apart.

The Supreme Court's recent endorsement of mass layoffs within the Education Department has already halved its workforce, catalyzing the precipitated changes. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has taken to social media, advocating that various functions of the department could be managed more effectively by reverting control to states and other federal agencies.

This overhaul raises questions about the future of educational support, especially for low-income and rural students. The Education Department currently serves as a critical conduit for billions in federal funds, and the transition of responsibilities to other agencies will test their ability to effectively manage these essential services.

Funding for Schools and Colleges

The Education Department distributes significant federal aid to state and local education agencies. Under the new plan, the Department of Labor is set to oversee the largest funding streams, including Title I aid for underprivileged communities. Other transfers involve Health and Human Services taking on certain programs that assist parents in higher education.

Federal Student Loans

The management of federal student loans, amounting to $1.6 trillion, is another key responsibility. While current operations are expected to remain largely unchanged, officials are hinting at future shifts to other departments.

Support for Students with Disabilities

The transition also affects how supports for students with disabilities will be managed. For now, funding will continue, but there are proposals to further transition these responsibilities to Health and Human Services.

Concerns persist about the effectiveness of the remaining civil rights oversight, especially with past budget cuts reducing the Office for Civil Rights significantly. Advocates worry that the changes could result in underserved populations becoming even more vulnerable without the federally mandated support.

This strategic dismantling poses a crucial challenge for the administration: ensuring that transitions occur without disrupting the educational lifelines for thousands of students across the nation.