WASHINGTON (AP) – More than 23 years ago, Republican President George W. Bush sat at a desk at a high school in Hamilton, Ohio, and signed a law that greatly expanded its role. Education Department and Transforming American school education. On Thursday, his Republican successor, President Donald Trump, signed a very different document – this is an executive order Designed to dismantle departments.
For years, as right-wing activists sought to remove agents, many Republicans paid lip service to the cause, but still voted to fund it. Now Trump has been encouraged and spurred in the dramatic federal remake, pushing his predecessor aside the concerns that thwarted him.
Thursday’s announcement follows other aggressive decisions, including the enlistment of billionaire Elon Musk. Reduce federal bureaucracy A review of amazing speeds, or scientific findings that underlie the fight against climate change.
The demolition of the education sector was always high on Trump’s list. He spoke about it repeatedly during his campaign, often to cheer from his supporters, including conservative groups. Mom for freedom.
But despite telegraphing his goals, Trump’s executive orders were shocking, even for a bold, prosperous president. Margaret Spelling, education secretary under Bush, said he was really surprised he was following with his campaign vows.
He said he spoke about eliminating the department, the way Republicans demonstrate party orthodox observance, even if they voted to send billions of dollars for years. To support that mission. Much of that money was funded extra teachers for, for example, poor schools, and ended in schools in their own districts, for example. Recently in 2023, 60 House Republicans voted against the bill to close the department.
“It was always a little wink and nod,” Spelling said. “Donald Trump called for a bluff.”
In his remarks at the White House, Trump said: “People wanted to do this for years, for years.
He held the executive order in the photo while standing next to Education Secretary Linda McMahon. He jokes that once her department is gone, she will need to find another job for her.
The executive order is likely to be plagued by legal challenges, and congressional members on both sides of the aisle said closing departments could not move forward without approval. But Trump has already moved through the government’s efficiency department department to reduce the traces of the department and eliminate about half of his staff.
The first lecture to eliminate the department came just a year after its formation President Ronald Reaganopposed efforts to integrate schools. However, the call to remove the new division fell from favor by the end of Reagan’s first term. By the time George W. Bush became president, it was seen as a way to implement the state’s policy vision, demanding that the state closely monitor student progress and holds responsibility for schools that were lacking.
The call to eliminate the department has reappeared at Tea Party. Tea Party supporters have made it a symbol of the bloated bureaucracy that has taken away the power of local governments.
The recent push to close the sector emerged from the Covid-19 pandemic when parents who leaned right-handedly mad at what is considered unnecessary school closures began to argue that the government was instructing their children.
Tiffany Justice, co-founder of Moms for Liberty, was in the White House audience and was recognized by Trump for his comments. She said the department allowed teachers’ unions to exert excessive influence on the schools. This is a more clear question as schools are closed and students learn on Zoom.
“The American people have woken up and realised the fact that there are many people making decisions that are not in the best interests of their children,” she said.
Former Congressman Newt Ginrich voted for the 1979 bill as a young lawmaker to establish the department, praised Trump’s moves and argued that the agency had not achieved its original mission.
“It seemed like a good idea back then,” Ginrich said he supported his fellow Georgian, Democratic President Jimmy Carter, with a vote of 215-201.
Two generations later, Ginrich argued, “What was the score at the time, how much we were spending on education, and now we were comparing it, it’s impossible to escape the reality that it was a terrible failure.”
For all the stories of Overreach, federal law expressly prohibits the federal government from telling schools what to teach. The daily work of the school is primarily handled by states and local governments.
And while Trump is talking about removing the department, he envisions a more muscular role for the federal government in schools, punishing and actively moving schools that are not in line with the administration’s interpretation of civil rights law.
Early in his administration, he was already taking unprecedented actions to cut off federal grants from the University of Pennsylvania Columbia University Regarding the handling of pro-Palestinian protests.
The executive order to close the department also included languages to strip schools of federal funding from “diversity, equity and inclusion.” This is a term that encompasses everything from emphasizing the achievements of black Americans to enabling trans athletes to compete.
Advocates and Democratic strategists have warned that Trump’s efforts could backfire voters. According to In recent opinion pollssix in 10 registered voters are opposed to the closure of the department.
John Anzalon, a Democratic voter who has worked in multiple presidential elections, including Joe Biden’s 2020 victory over Trump, said the president’s move is a fundamental joy that is likely to backfire for the wider voters and Republicans.
First and foremost, he said, “education is generally popular with voters.” He said he is working against Trump, whatever allows Democrats to position themselves as better reflecting those values.
State where schools rely most on federal dollars include Mississippi, South Dakota, Montana, Alaska, Arkansas and North Carolina. All of these support Trump. The federal funding disruption will hit them the hardest.
Spell said there has been a long bipartisan consensus that “education is the path to America’s dream, it should be given to everyone, and the role of the federal government was to level the arena.”
“If that’s still true, we’re in the process of discovering it.”
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Sharon Lully and Linley Sanders contributed.
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