‘Just do it’: Trump dedicated to taking apart Education Department with impending order
Sen. Susan Collins, the leading appropriator in the chamber, stated, “The decision of whether to abolish the department is one that only Congress can make."
TroibNews 
President Donald Trump’s initiative to eliminate the Education Department is proving to be a slow-moving endeavor, revealing one of Washington's best-kept secrets.
Trump has consistently encouraged Linda McMahon to prepare for being “out of a job” as Education secretary, and she quickly discussed the agency’s “final mission” to its staff shortly after her swearing-in on Monday. However, key aspects of the president’s anticipated executive order—such as the timing of when he intends to sign it—have been uncertain for weeks.
“I want to just do it,” the president stated in the Oval Office on Thursday when asked about his signing timeline. “We're starting the process. We're trying to get the schools back into the states. Let the states run the schools.”
Recent turmoil regarding the agency intensified after media reports referenced a draft version of the order, which a White House official labeled an “incomplete document.” This reporting angered the administration and disrupted its announcement plans for Thursday. As reported to PMG, Trump is not anticipated to sign anything regarding the department this week, amplifying the sense of confusion among Democrats and some conservatives who have been advising the administration on this directive.
In the Oval Office, Trump also mentioned that the federal government’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio could potentially come under the Small Business Administration's jurisdiction, an agency McMahon led during Trump’s first term. This change would necessitate congressional action.
“We’re not getting our guidance from Democratic politicians,” a White House official, who spoke anonymously about internal discussions, said. “The president is still committed to this campaign promise, which shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. The American people elected him knowing this would be his intention.”
However, some lawmakers, including two influential Republicans, voiced their concerns about the proposal on Thursday, indicating the challenging road ahead for Trump to secure the 60 votes needed in the Senate to fully realize his dismantling plan.
“The Department of Education actually has some functions that we think are important,” Senator Lisa Murkowski remarked in the Capitol. “I support it.”
Senator Susan Collins, who has expressed frustration with the aggressive budget cuts associated with Elon Musk’s spending measures and Trump’s broad executive powers, attempted to establish some limits.
"There may be a case for spinning off some programs. There may be a case for downsizing the department. But those are decisions the new secretary should make,” Collins, the Senate’s leading appropriator, informed reporters. “The decision of whether to abolish the department is one that only Congress can make."
Democrats and their allies wasted no time warning against the agency's dismantling, providing an early look at the larger battle Trump may face regarding a concept that resonates with many conservative Republicans.
The Education Department chose not to offer a comment.
The White House, along with Trump’s appointees and Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives, has already scaled back research spending, reduced the agency’s staff, and aimed to eliminate diversity programs that have fueled modern conservative politics in recent years.
These changes merely hint at further anticipated cuts within the agency, as the president's budget proposals are expected to feature substantial reductions in funding for the department.
While the draft order being circulated on Wednesday was founded on weeks of speculation about its specifics, the language within this document—reviewed by PMG—had reportedly undergone significant revisions compared to earlier versions, according to sources familiar with the directive who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
This includes the omission of crucial operational details, along with dates and deadlines that were included in previous drafts.
The White House opted not to comment on the draft's language.
Additionally, there has been ongoing discussion among external White House advisers regarding whether Trump needs to issue an order to dissolve the department at all, as per sources with knowledge of the situation.
For the moment, Democrats remain left to wonder when Trump’s order will be issued.
“All of us in the community here are going to remain hypervigilant,” said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, during a Thursday press event with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and National Education Association President Becky Pringle. “Today, the order didn't come out. It could eventually come out. I almost feel like we got a stay of execution today.”
Contributions to this report were made by Jordain Carney, Madina Touré, and Megan Messerly.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Trump has consistently encouraged Linda McMahon to prepare for being “out of a job” as Education secretary, and she quickly discussed the agency’s “final mission” to its staff shortly after her swearing-in on Monday. However, key aspects of the president’s anticipated executive order—such as the timing of when he intends to sign it—have been uncertain for weeks.
“I want to just do it,” the president stated in the Oval Office on Thursday when asked about his signing timeline. “We're starting the process. We're trying to get the schools back into the states. Let the states run the schools.”
Recent turmoil regarding the agency intensified after media reports referenced a draft version of the order, which a White House official labeled an “incomplete document.” This reporting angered the administration and disrupted its announcement plans for Thursday. As reported to PMG, Trump is not anticipated to sign anything regarding the department this week, amplifying the sense of confusion among Democrats and some conservatives who have been advising the administration on this directive.
In the Oval Office, Trump also mentioned that the federal government’s $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio could potentially come under the Small Business Administration's jurisdiction, an agency McMahon led during Trump’s first term. This change would necessitate congressional action.
“We’re not getting our guidance from Democratic politicians,” a White House official, who spoke anonymously about internal discussions, said. “The president is still committed to this campaign promise, which shouldn’t be a shock to anyone. The American people elected him knowing this would be his intention.”
However, some lawmakers, including two influential Republicans, voiced their concerns about the proposal on Thursday, indicating the challenging road ahead for Trump to secure the 60 votes needed in the Senate to fully realize his dismantling plan.
“The Department of Education actually has some functions that we think are important,” Senator Lisa Murkowski remarked in the Capitol. “I support it.”
Senator Susan Collins, who has expressed frustration with the aggressive budget cuts associated with Elon Musk’s spending measures and Trump’s broad executive powers, attempted to establish some limits.
"There may be a case for spinning off some programs. There may be a case for downsizing the department. But those are decisions the new secretary should make,” Collins, the Senate’s leading appropriator, informed reporters. “The decision of whether to abolish the department is one that only Congress can make."
Democrats and their allies wasted no time warning against the agency's dismantling, providing an early look at the larger battle Trump may face regarding a concept that resonates with many conservative Republicans.
The Education Department chose not to offer a comment.
The White House, along with Trump’s appointees and Musk’s cost-cutting initiatives, has already scaled back research spending, reduced the agency’s staff, and aimed to eliminate diversity programs that have fueled modern conservative politics in recent years.
These changes merely hint at further anticipated cuts within the agency, as the president's budget proposals are expected to feature substantial reductions in funding for the department.
While the draft order being circulated on Wednesday was founded on weeks of speculation about its specifics, the language within this document—reviewed by PMG—had reportedly undergone significant revisions compared to earlier versions, according to sources familiar with the directive who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
This includes the omission of crucial operational details, along with dates and deadlines that were included in previous drafts.
The White House opted not to comment on the draft's language.
Additionally, there has been ongoing discussion among external White House advisers regarding whether Trump needs to issue an order to dissolve the department at all, as per sources with knowledge of the situation.
For the moment, Democrats remain left to wonder when Trump’s order will be issued.
“All of us in the community here are going to remain hypervigilant,” said Keri Rodrigues, president of the National Parents Union, during a Thursday press event with New York Governor Kathy Hochul and National Education Association President Becky Pringle. “Today, the order didn't come out. It could eventually come out. I almost feel like we got a stay of execution today.”
Contributions to this report were made by Jordain Carney, Madina Touré, and Megan Messerly.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
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