Education At Risk: Trump’s Executive Order Threatens Civil Rights And School Funding

On March 20, 2025, Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick announced via his X account that he was at the White House for meetings and to witness President Donald Trump sign an executive order aimed at shutting down the Department of Education.

Patrick shared a photo of himself giving a thumbs-up in front of the White House, alongside the caption: “I’m back at the White House today for meetings and to join President @realDonaldTrump as he signs the Executive Order to shut down the Department of Education.”

The Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education involves redistributing its key responsibilities to other agencies. Civil rights enforcement would be transferred to the Department of Justice, student loans to Treasury or Commerce, and oversight of disability rights to Health and Human Services. However, advocates warn that without a centralized federal agency, disadvantaged students—including low-income children, English learners, students with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities—could lose essential protections. Critics argue that reduced federal oversight could lead to the creation of an “underclass of students,” deepening existing educational inequalities, as first reported by The Dallas Morning News.

With billions of dollars in federal funding, such as Title I grants for impoverished schools, at stake, experts fear that without federal guardrails, states could spend the money with fewer restrictions, potentially exacerbating disparities. Legal experts argue that these cuts will significantly weaken the agency’s ability to enforce civil rights protections, making the fate of federal support for vulnerable students increasingly uncertain. 

Despite the executive order, Trump cannot unilaterally dissolve the federal agency without congressional legislation, a move that is expected to face significant obstacles. While Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, major legislation—such as the elimination of a cabinet-level department—would require 60 votes to pass. This means at least seven Democrats would need to back the measure, making it a difficult feat. 

According to the U.S. News, The Department of Education currently oversees roughly 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools across the country. Although the majority of public school funding—over 85%—comes from state and local governments, the federal agency plays a key role in providing grants to support underfunded schools. These funds help pay for special education teachers, arts programs, and infrastructure improvements.

The executive order has already sparked legal action. Last week, attorneys general from 20 states and the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit in federal court in Boston. The suit challenges the department’s announcement of plans to lay off more than 1,300 employees as part of its “final mission.”

According to the lawsuit, the large-scale job cuts would leave the agency incapable of performing essential functions authorized by law, particularly in civil rights enforcement. The plaintiffs argue that this move effectively bypasses congressional authority, violating the U.S. Constitution.