The Trump administration has started drafting an executive order aimed at commencing the process of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education.

Sources knowledgeable about the initiative indicate that the proposed order would instruct the Secretary of Education to develop a plan for reducing the department through executive measures.

Moreover, the president is anticipated to advocate for congressional legislation to officially eliminate the department, as its closure necessitates legislative sanction.

President Trump has conveyed a wish for his nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, to "eliminate her own position" by narrowing the department's responsibilities.

McMahon, who formerly led the Small Business Administration, has not yet participated in her confirmation hearing for the position.

The push to abolish or consolidate the Education Department has been a long-standing topic, although earlier efforts have struggled to garner Congressional backing.

During Trump's first term, his administration suggested merging the Education and Labor Departments into a single entity, a proposal that failed to move forward despite Republican dominance in both chambers of Congress.

In addition to this initiative, the Department of Government Efficiency, overseen by Elon Musk, is also targeting the Education Department as part of a broader strategy to reform the federal workforce.

The Trump administration has already placed numerous employees from the Education Department on paid administrative leave, particularly those involved with diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives.

Trump, who has consistently critiqued the federal role in education, particularly regarding taxpayer funding for public schools, contends that U.S. education spending is excessive in relation to outcomes.

He supports increased local control over schools, asserting that states should possess the authority to manage their own educational systems.

Even if the Department of Education is ultimately dissolved, it is likely that some educational programs and funding could be integrated into other federal agencies.

Before the establishment of the department in 1979, education-related programs were overseen by various other entities.

Federal funding initiatives for K-12 schools, including assistance for low-income students and children with disabilities, were in place prior to the department's creation.

Historically, attempts to reduce the Education Department’s budget have encountered considerable opposition in Congress, with legislators frequently boosting funding beyond the president’s proposals.

An analysis by the Brookings Institution revealed that Congress has overruled presidential budget cuts to the department about 71% of the time.