Full Breakdown
Education Secretary Pushes to Dismantle the Department of Education
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Action and Policy Shift
Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced a coordinated effort to transfer core education functions to other federal agencies as a “proof of concept” that the Department of Education (ED) is no longer essential. Interagency agreements have moved adult education, family literacy, and career-technical education (CTE) programs to the Department of Labor (DOL), and key student-loan operations to the Department of Treasury. While the ED will retain statutory oversight, day-to-day administration of these programs now resides with DOL and Treasury. The move follows President Donald Trump’s campaign promise and executive order to eliminate the ED, and it is intended to demonstrate to Congress that federal education funding can be reallocated without disruption.
Background and Context
During the 2024 presidential campaign, Trump pledged to abolish the ED, arguing that the agency merely passes federal money to states and schools. After taking office, his administration issued an executive order to begin dismantling the department. In July 2025, the ED sent a letter to states encouraging them to apply for waivers that would grant greater discretion over federal education funds, further shifting authority to state officials.
Official Statements & Rationale
McMahon framed the interagency transfers as evidence that the federal education system can operate efficiently without a standalone cabinet department. She emphasized that the money will continue to reach schools and students, arguing that many programs were duplicated across agencies or could be handled better elsewhere. The Secretary said the initiative will allow performance to be measured by student outcomes and increase accountability for teachers and administrators. Andrew Gillen, a higher-education policy research fellow at the Cato Institute, noted that moving major duties such as student loans and formula grants represents a substantial departure from prior agreements that dealt only with minor administrative support.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Signing these interagency agreements means, in fact, that the Department of Education is contracting with these agencies to perform the functions that they've been given,” — Linda McMahon, education secretary
- “It started first with CTE — Career and Technical Education — then K–12 and finally higher education as well,” — Linda McMahon, education secretary
- “I call it my proof of concept to show Congress that it works, that the money still gets to schools and to students where they need it,” — Linda McMahon, education secretary
- “Some of the programs in the Department of Education were being duplicated in other agencies or handled better elsewhere,” — Linda McMahon, education secretary
- “So, let's be efficient. Let's make sure the money gets where it needs to go, let's measure that by student outcomes and let's hold teachers and administrators accountable for what they're doing.” — Andrew Gillen
- “Congress appropriates the funds. The funds come through the Department of Education, and some of that funding still goes to other agencies to get to students and schools,” — Linda McMahon, education secretary