“Frankly, it’s astonishing that this is actually happening.” With that one line, the decades-long conservative push to eliminate the federal Department of Education leapfrogged past rhetoric and into reality.

President Trump’s administration has formally begun the process of shutting down the Department of Education, aiming to transfer its responsibilities to other agencies — a dramatic shift in American federal policy on education governance, Robby Soave wrote for The Hill. 

Republican presidents have talked the talk on this issue since Ronald Reagan's 1980 campaign, but now Trump is making good on a promise that’s lingered on the GOP platform for over 50 years. But that wasn’t the only revelation.

Republican Vision Meets Long-Awaited Action

On Tuesday, the administration confirmed it was advancing plans to close the Department of Education. That effort will involve redistributing its core duties to other federal agencies as a preliminary step toward full abolition.

This comes after the Supreme Court gave the green light to Trump’s decision to fire many of the department’s bureaucrats. It was a bold first strike that signaled more than just streamlining — this is a policy war on bloated federal overreach.

The Education Department's own X account — yes, X — posted a candid video about the GOP’s historical track record on the issue, confirming what supporters and critics alike have long suspected: this isn’t just talk.

How a Grievance Became a Government Shake-Up

For conservatives, the idea of eliminating the department isn’t radical — it’s overdue. "As someone who has advocated for this outcome for many, many years, I am personally thrilled it’s finally coming," said one longtime advocate.

Why dismantle a cabinet-level department? Critics argue that it’s unconstitutional — the Founders granted no federal authority over education. Most grumble that the department doesn’t teach, doesn’t staff classrooms, and mostly just redirects about 10 percent of K-12 budgets in the form of grants.

And it doesn’t stop with basic education funding. The department also oversees the federal student loan program, which many conservatives believe has inflated tuition and crippled borrowers. Do you agree with that reasoning? Many readers might not.

Liberals Push Back as Debate Heats Up

Predictably, liberal Democrats are raising alarms. The notion of shuttering a federal agency — especially one tied to education — is political napalm.

Still, Education Secretary Linda McMahon offered a sharp rejoinder: during a prior shutdown, most of the department went dark — and the nation’s schools didn’t even miss a beat. The system kept running on its own fuel.

"She makes a good point," one observer noted. But for many inside the Beltway watching this unfold, it felt like a warning shot in a broader war on federal bureaucracy. And it’s far from over.

Why It Matters for the Future of Federal Power

For everyday Americans, the message is clear: Washington might finally retreat from places where it has no constitutional business being — like your child’s classroom.

The move echoes a longstanding belief among conservatives that local and state governments, not distant departments, should steer education policy. At its core, this represents a profound recalibration of federal priorities.

And with Trump keen to keep his campaign promises, the sprawling federal education machine may soon be little more than a historical footnote. The next step? Congress has to act — and all signs point to a fiery showdown ahead.

Timeline of Major Events

• 1980: Ronald Reagan campaigns to abolish the Department of Education.
• Nov. 18, 2025: Trump administration announces plans to close the department.
• Supreme Court approves dismissal of department staff.
• The Education Department’s X account highlights GOP efforts.
• Education Secretary McMahon defends the department’s non-essential nature.

Trump's administration has taken the first tangible steps to dismantle the Department of Education — long a conservative goal — by beginning to transfer responsibilities to other agencies and seeking congressional approval to complete the shutdown.