President Donald Trump has initiated efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), aiming to transfer its responsibilities to individual states. This move aligns with his long-standing view that education should be managed at the state level, reducing federal involvement.

To lead this initiative, Trump has nominated Linda McMahon, former WWE CEO and head of the Small Business Administration, as the Secretary of Education. Her primary mandate is to oversee the dissolution of the department.

Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is actively involved in this process, implementing significant budget cuts and restructuring efforts within the DOE. For instance, DOGE has executed nearly $900 million in budget cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences, a key research body under the DOE.

Critics argue that dismantling the DOE could lead to reduced federal funding for schools, potentially impacting teacher jobs and resources, especially in low-income areas. Additionally, concerns have been raised about DOGE's access to sensitive student loan data and the potential misuse of personal information.

While the administration is preparing an executive order to initiate the department's closure, legal experts note that abolishing a federal department requires congressional approval, making the feasibility of such an action uncertain.