Trump Signs Order to Eliminate Department of Education, Aiming to Leave Generations of Students Behind
WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Donald Trump signed an executive order this evening directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to unlawfully dismantle the agency responsible for administering student aid and grants, researching best educational practices, and ensuring and enforcing equal access to education across the country. In response, Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen, issued the following statement:
“Since the 1980s, Republicans have sought to destroy the Department of Education in part because it has a mandate to fight discrimination in our schools against marginalized groups. The Department of Education creates opportunities for our students, and its programs provide training, resources, and protections millions of students depend on. Trump’s executive order is a blow to anyone who has struggled to get the educational resources they need to succeed in school.
“Beyond the obvious issue that the Education Department can’t be eliminated without an act of Congress, Trump’s order is yet another wild and illicit power grab. Attempting to destroy the cabinet agencies tasked with promoting and improving education isn’t just irresponsible, it is immoral, and will hurt the very fabric of our nation, as we keep generations of students from achieving their full potential.”
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