In Washington, D.C., on Thursday (March 20), Donald Trump, aiming to diminish the Department of Education, was surrounded by schoolchildren at a ceremony. Through an executive order, the former president directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education. This move is controversial, intending to shift academic oversight to local and state authorities, reducing the federal government's involvement in education policies. Trump stated that the department is not beneficial and announced plans to eliminate it to align with what he believes is the right decision. During the event, Trump turned to the children present and asked for their opinion before signing the order, in a theatrical gesture. The executive order also prohibits federally funded educational programs from endorsing diversity, equity, inclusion initiatives, and gender ideology. Trump's administration has already significantly downsized the department's workforce. On March 11, 2025, nearly half of the Department of Education's employees were informed that they would lose their jobs, effective March 21. However, disbanding the department entirely requires congressional intervention as it was established by Congress in 1979. Detractors criticize Trump's actions, expressing concerns that the cuts will exacerbate existing educational disparities in the country. Legal challenges are expected, with various advocacy groups preparing lawsuits to block the executive order.