During an open-ended interview with journalists, President Donald Trump bitterly denounced the Department of Education (DOE) as a “con job” and demanded its instant shutdown. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump was angry over a recent report showing the U.S. education system’s poor ranking in international comparisons. He pointed out that, despite the U.S. being ranked No. 1 in cost per pupil, it ranks a disappointing No. 40 in the world for education quality.
Ranking Concerns and Spending Criticism
Donald Trump said, “Oh, I’d like it to be closed immediately. Look at the Department of Education. It’s a big con job,” he answered. “They ranked the top countries in the world. We’re ranked No. 40, but we’re ranked No. 1 in one department: cost per pupil. So, we spend more per pupil than any other country in the world, but we’re ranked No. 40.”
The president also pointed out that when he last looked, the U.S. was ranked 38th in education, but after going through recent statistics, he discovered the nation had dropped to 40th. “As big as it is, it’s ranked in the top five, and that’s our … primary competitor,” Trump said. “So, if we’re ranked No. 40, that means something’s really wrong,” Trump further stated, pointing toward China’s ranking in education.
Eliminations in Excessive DOE Expenditures
Through his call for reform, Trump instructed the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), under the leadership of Elon Musk, to attack wasteful government spending, which also involved the reduction of funding for the DOE. DOGE announced the reduction of $881 million from 89 DOE contracts, of which $101 million was recognized as wasteful spending on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training.
Musk pointed to the expenditure, writing, “Your tax dollars were spent on this,” regarding the money that went into DEI programs. The DOE had utilized some of the money to instruct teachers on how to “assist students to understand/interrogate the intricate histories involved in oppression, and assist students to identify areas of privilege and power on an individual and collective level.”
Trump’s Executive Orders on Education
Trump signed two notable executive orders regarding education last month. The first sought to eliminate federal funding for K-12 schools that are teaching critical race theory (CRT), and the second aimed to advance school choice. Trump has been outspoken regarding his opposition to CRT and other contentious educational materials, vowing during his campaign to eliminate federal funding for schools that advance CRT, transgender ideology, and other material he finds objectionable.
Trump’s agenda regarding education is taking hold, especially with increasing backlash from the parents who flock to school board hearings across the country. The latter has witnessed greater demands for a move against instruction in CRT as well as other political material at schools.
Drafts to Shut Down the Department of Education
The Trump administration is said to be mulling a proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education in its entirety, an action that would mark a dramatic shift in federal engagement in education. The plan is being weighed by officials, according to a Wall Street Journal report, amid growing concerns over declining education standards.
As rankings in education continue to slide, the bold moves by President Trump are an indication of his willingness to shape the U.S. education system and trim wasteful expenditures, prioritizing enhancing quality and eliminating unnecessary spending.
