To Secretary McMahon: "I hope you don't stay in the position too long"
Complete abolition of the Department of Education unlikely... Significant reduction of functions expected
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the 20th (local time) at the White House to initiate the process of dismantling the Department of Education. During the signing ceremony, students appeared to be signing together. /Photo by EPA and Yonhap News
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the 20th (local time) directing the initiation of procedures to dismantle the Department of Education. However, since the complete dissolution of the Department of Education requires congressional approval, the focus is expected to be on reducing its functions for the time being.
At the signing ceremony held at the White House that day, President Trump stated, "My administration will take all lawful measures to close the Department of Education," adding, "We will close the Department of Education as soon as possible."
He continued, "We want to send students back to the states. Some governors want education responsibilities to return primarily to the states, and they will do a wonderful job."
As President Trump sat at his desk signing the executive order, students of various grade levels were seated at school desks behind him, mimicking the signing and holding up copies of the executive order just like President Trump.
Key functions of the Department of Education, such as federal scholarships and special education support for disabled students, will remain intact. President Trump said, "We will preserve all funding and resources for these and redistribute them to various other agencies and departments that can manage them well."
The dismantling of the Department of Education was a campaign promise of President Trump, driven by the belief that the department has not been beneficial to American education. On the day, President Trump pointed out, "For 45 years, the U.S. has spent far more money on education than any other country, and per-student spending is also much higher. Yet, in terms of success, the U.S. ranks near the bottom," adding, "Despite this tremendous failure, the Department of Education's budget has increased by 600% in a very short period."
He added, "The Department of Education employs bureaucrats in buildings all over Washington, D.C. As a former real estate businessman, I often ask, 'How can they fill so many buildings?' This is really crazy."
President Trump told Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who attended the event, "I hope you don't stay in the position too long," but added, "But we will find other work for you."
On the 20th, dozens of people in downtown Niles, Michigan, USA, held a protest against the Trump administration's second term education budget cuts. /AP Photo and Yonhap News
Although dismantling the Department of Education was a campaign promise of President Trump, it requires federal congressional legislation to completely dissolve the department. Therefore, a significant reduction in the department's functions is expected to proceed in the future. Currently, in the U.S. Senate, Republicans hold 53 seats and Democrats 47, but at least 60 votes are needed to abolish the Department of Education. Since Democrats do not agree to abolish the department, passing this through Congress is expected to be difficult.
The Department of Education was established in 1979, separating from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare during the administration of Democratic President Jimmy Carter. Carter's successor, Republican President Ronald Reagan, attempted to abolish the Department of Education but failed due to lack of congressional support. President Trump also proposed integrating the Department of Education with the Department of Labor as part of federal government restructuring during his first term, but this too was unsuccessful.
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