In Washington, D.C., a group of 11 U.S. senators, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren, has called for an investigation into former President Donald Trump's efforts to dismantle the Department of Education. In a letter to Acting Department of Education Inspector General René Rocque, the senators urged an examination of the administration's actions, which they argue might undermine the department's ability to support students, educators, and families across the nation.
According to the lawmakers, President Trump's initiatives, including a significant workforce reduction and an executive order aimed at closing the department, pose severe threats. "Decimating the Department of Education’s abilities to administer financial aid, investigate civil rights violations, conduct research on educational outcomes, and oversee the use of federal education grants threatens to have disastrous consequences for American students, teachers, and families," the lawmakers noted.
The department initiated a reduction in force (RIF) earlier in March, cutting nearly half of its workforce. This action was publicly described by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, who showcased a decrease in department staff numbers from 4,133 to approximately 2,183. The senators expressed concerns that the 1,300 layoffs would disproportionately affect teams that facilitate financial aid, enforce civil rights laws, and support public schools at the K-12 level.
Following Trump's order to close the Department of Education, he announced a plan to transfer federal student loan management to the Small Business Administration and relocate programs for students with disabilities to the Department of Health and Human Services. As the senators contend, "only Congress can choose to abolish the Department—the President cannot shut it down by decree."
The letter signatories, including Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and other prominent senators, emphasized their apprehension about the legality of these actions and the potential disruption they might cause. They pressed for an independent evaluation to assess how the efforts might inhibit the department's ability to serve its critical functions and to support state and local education systems.
As the political discourse continues, the fate of the Department of Education and associated federal programs hangs in the balance, with calls for accountability and clarification growing louder.