How can Trump achieve campaign pledge to eliminate Dept of Education? Experts weigh in

As President Trump reportedly considers his options for fulfilling his campaign promise of eliminating the Department of Education, experts have weighed in on what the process will entail and what obstacles the president may face.

According to Jonathan Butcher, a Senior Research Fellow in Education Policy at The Heritage Foundation, the Department of Education is ineffective and unpopular. He believes that most of the agency’s programs and spending should be eliminated, with any remaining programs being transferred to other federal agencies. Butcher suggested that President Trump could declare the department’s powers as unconstitutional and request support from the Department of Justice to back up this position. Additionally, he proposed relocating the agency outside of Washington, DC and requiring employees to work in-person five days a week.

However, Butcher emphasized that congressional support would be necessary to void union contracts and close the agency. He suggested that Congress should consider creating block grants for large spending programs like Title I to give states more autonomy over education within their borders. Butcher also recommended moving certain offices, such as the office of civil rights, to the Department of Justice.

On the other hand, Julian Epstein, a Democratic operative and former chief counsel to the House Judiciary Committee, warned that Trump may need an act of Congress to eliminate the department, as it is a statutory agency. Epstein cautioned that abolishing the department could present challenges for Trump as it plays a crucial role in enforcing various policies, including protecting women’s sports and addressing discrimination.

The Department of Education was established in 1979 under President Carter and is responsible for regulating federal student aid funds and ensuring equal access to education. Republicans have long called for dismantling the agency, arguing that decisions about schools should be made at the local level. In contrast, Democrats believe the department provides stability and enforces important policies to address educational disparities and systemic inequalities.

Despite Trump’s campaign promise to eliminate the Department of Education, experts agree that Congress’s involvement would be necessary to achieve this goal. Andrew Stoltmann, an attorney and law professor, explained that Trump would need bipartisan support in the Senate to abolish the department, which may be challenging to obtain.

Overall, the process of eliminating the Department of Education would be complex and require careful consideration of the agency’s functions and responsibilities. While Trump may face hurdles in fulfilling his promise, it remains to be seen how he will navigate the political landscape to achieve his goal.