Trump allies push Education Dept rollback after DOGE crackdown of USAID

Congressional allies of President Donald Trump are throwing their support behind his and Elon Musk’s efforts to overhaul the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and are now setting their sights on another key agency: the Department of Education.

Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., expressed his belief that the Department of Education should be drastically cut, stating that he trusts state legislatures, such as Tennessee’s, to develop education curriculums over the federal government. He emphasized the need for a shift in control back to local authorities.

Several Republican lawmakers echoed this sentiment, with Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., listing agencies such as OSHA, EPA, ATF, and the Department of Education as potential targets for Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The consensus seemed to be that the Department of Education was a prime candidate for audit or reduction.

Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, voiced his support for eliminating the Department of Education and the ATF, citing concerns about taxpayer dollars funding progressive initiatives. He highlighted the Department of Education’s allocation of funds towards diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which he believes are not aligned with the interests of American taxpayers.

Critics of the Department of Education argue that it has strayed from its original purpose since its establishment in 1980, with Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in its spending. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., introduced a bill to eliminate the department, garnering support from 30 House GOP co-signers.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., indicated that there is growing support within Congress for Trump’s potential executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. He highlighted the need to refocus education decisions at the local level, suggesting that this shift could improve the country’s education system.

Overall, Republican lawmakers are aligning with Trump and Musk’s efforts to streamline government agencies, with the Department of Education emerging as a key target for reform. The push to decentralize education policy and funding reflects a broader conservative agenda to reduce federal oversight and empower states and local communities in shaping education priorities.