WASHINGTON — Democratic lawmakers joined student leaders to criticize President Donald Trump’s persistent efforts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
U.S. Sen. Ed Markey and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, along with students nationwide, denounced Trump’s plan to shift the Education Department’s responsibilities to other agencies, aiming to abolish the 46-year-old department. Markey stated that dismantling would harm students and families during a virtual press conference hosted by “Hands Off Our Schools,” a coalition of student leaders.
“When a parent or superintendent needs support or technical assistance, there will be no one to pick up the phone,” he emphasized.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the initiative, citing “interagency agreements to cut bureaucratic bloat” and to shift educational authority to local agencies. Markey and Underwood criticized the plans, highlighting their negative impacts.
Markey argued the agenda aims at cruelty and breaking educational programs. Underwood noted the administration’s actions as part of a broader attack on constitutional rights, stating, “By tearing down the Department of Education, this administration has made an explicit choice to abandon students and families.”
Underwood, a nurse, criticized a proposal to impose stricter loan limits on graduate nursing students, calling it disastrous for health care and rural communities.
‘Brainless decision’
Students from several states, including California and Texas, condemned the department’s plans, emphasizing potential impacts on marginalized students. Georgetown University student Darius Wagner labeled the move “unnecessarily cruel” and expressed concerns about resource mismanagement.
High school student Ayaan Moledina warned of serious consequences for marginalized students, stating, “Without a federal department, there will be no federal oversight…no federal assistance for institutions.”
Six interagency agreements
The Education Department faced backlash for transferring responsibilities to other departments, with critics questioning the legality and potential harm to students. The agency assured it would “maintain all statutory responsibilities” and continue oversight of programs with departments like Labor and Interior.
Before these agreements, the department had undergone significant changes, including layoffs of over 1,300 employees, which the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily allowed in July.
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