March 20, 2025 | Washington, D.C.
“Today We Take a Very Historic Action”: Trump’s Bold Declaration
In a sweeping address delivered moments before signing a transformative executive order, former President Donald Trump announced the culmination of a 45-year effort to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Framed as a restoration of state and local control over schooling, the order marks one of the most significant shifts in American education policy since the department’s creation in 1979.
“When President Carter created the Federal Education Department in 1979, it was opposed by members of his own cabinet,” Trump stated, emphasizing bipartisan skepticism that has lingered for decades. “History has proven them right.”
The Case for Elimination: A System “At the Bottom of the List”
Trump’s speech painted a stark picture of the nation’s educational decline under federal oversight:
- 70% of eighth graders lack proficiency in reading or math.
- 40% of fourth graders cannot meet basic literacy benchmarks.
- Despite spending “more money per pupil than any country,” U.S. students rank near the bottom globally in academic performance.
“In Baltimore, 40% of the high schools have zero students who can do basic mathematics,” Trump declared, calling the statistics “breathtaking failures” of centralized bureaucracy.
Bipartisan Backing and State Leadership
The move garnered support from prominent Republican governors and lawmakers, including:
Governor Greg Abbott (TX)
Governor Ron DeSantis (FL)
Senator Mike Braun (IN)
Representative Virginia Foxx (NC)
Trump also highlighted alignment with grassroots organizations like Moms for Liberty, whose co-founder Tiffany Justice attended the signing. “Everybody knows it’s right,” Trump asserted, claiming even Democrats privately endorse the decision.
A Return to Local Control: What Comes Next?
The executive order initiates a phased dismantling of the department, including:
1. Reduction in Federal Bureaucracy: Already, staffing has been slashed by 50% through buyouts.
2. State Empowerment: Education policy, funding, and standards will revert to state governments.
3. Budget Reallocation: Savings from eliminating “buildings all over Washington” could redirect funds to local districts.
“We have to get our children educated,” Trump emphasized, framing the order as a liberation from federal overreach.
Historical Echoes and Political Resonance
Trump drew parallels to Patrick Henry’s famed cry, “Give me liberty or give me death,” positioning the order as a modern fight for autonomy. He also invoked opposition to the department’s creation, noting critics ranged from the New York Times editorial board to the late Democratic Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.
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Final Thought
As Trump handed the pen to Linda McMahon, quipping she may be “our last Secretary of Education,” the room erupted in applause. Whether this move heralds a renaissance in American education or deepens disparities remains to be seen. One thing is clear: the battle over who controls classrooms has entered a new chapter.
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