Politics
Trump administration highlights efforts to close Education Department and expand school choice
President Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon hosted a White House event promoting voucher programs and staff cuts as the school year begins.
The short version
- President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon hosted a Rose Garden event to promote administration policies aimed at dismantling the Department of Education and promoting school choice.
- Secretary McMahon has reduced the department's workforce by nearly half and partnered with other agencies to handle various duties.
- Critics argue the expansion of vouchers and school choice policies weakens public school funding, while supporters contend it grants families greater educational flexibility.
Key facts
- President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon hosted a 'Back to School' event at the White House on August 24, 2026.[ABC News]
- Secretary McMahon has reduced the Department of Education's workforce by nearly 50 percent.[ABC News]
- The Working Families Tax Cuts Act contains a charitable donation incentive effective in 2027 to fund scholarship awards for K-12 public and private education.[ABC News]
- On average, state and local education agencies supply approximately 90 percent of public school funding in the United States.[ABC News]
What remains uncertain
- The extent to which the administration can completely eliminate the Department of Education without further congressional action remains clear.[ABC News]
Sources
- Trump admin to tout efforts to shut down Education Department as school year beginsABC News - Top Stories