Trump signs executive order to dismantle Department of Education; Chicago employees impacted

CHICAGO – President Trump has signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to start the process of dismantling the Department of Education, and the move has spawned strong reaction from some democratic leaders.

The president was surrounded by students sitting at desks as he signed the order in the Oval Office Thursday.

“We’re going to be returning education very simply back to the states, where it belongs,” Trump said.

The signed order does not abolish the agency and would still require congressional approval, where it is expected to be met with pushback from Democrats, who Trump said he hoped would vote in favor.

“It’s important people understand the president doesn’t have the power to eliminate the Department of Education, only an act of Congress can do that, and he understands that,” WGN Political Analyst Paul Lisnek said.

On Friday, the president spoke about his executive order, including what it means for student loans.

“The numbers are horrible the way it is and we’re going to make a move that is very big,” Trump said Friday. “I don’t think it’s even risky a little bit. I think it’s going to be amazing. Should have been done many years ago. They’ve been talking about it for many years, but nobody ever got it off, but we did.”

The White House previously said the executive order would not eliminate the Department of Education and that “critical functions” would continue, including the enforcement of civil rights laws and oversight of Pell Grants and student loans.

Trump announced a change to that Friday, and said the Small Business Administration (SBA) would handle the entire student loan portfolio.

“That’s coming out of the Department of Education immediately,” said Trump.  

Several weeks ago, the Trump administration announced an approximately 50 percent reduction in the department’s workforce. Impacted staff were set to be placed on administrative leave effective Friday, March 21.

WGN stopped by the Chicago Office of the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights on Friday. While the lights were on, WGN received no answer when ringing the bell. A single employee soon returned but was unable to comment on the matter.

“[Trump is] getting it down to a bare bones minimum point, where it’s essentially not functional. So, will it exist? Until congress gets rid of it. Will it function effectively? No,” Lisnek said.

While speaking with the press Friday, Trump said the executive order was met with excitement and acceptance, including from “a lot of democrats.”

Some lawmakers, including Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, weighed in with their concerns. Pritzker said he believes it should be up to congress, which established the agency, whether it is eliminated. He disagrees with the move and said it would have major implications for Chicago.

“We’re in dire straits if they cut this funding from Washington, D.C., and most importantly, our children and families across the state will suffer,” Pritzker said Thursday.

Many argue the move would put students at risk, including people with disabilities, low-income families, students of color and those in rural areas.

Indiana Governor Mike Braun was in attendance for the signing of the executive order and shared his reaction to it.

“Us governors, along with our legislators, are going to find the right mix and we don’t need our federal government. I’d like to see them get smart enough and start to balance their own budget,” Braun said.

According to Lisnek, the financial implications will be something many states will need to assess.

“The question for states is, ‘will we get our money back that we’ve been giving you? Answer’s probably going to be no, it’s going to be elsewhere,” Lisnek said. “So now states are going to be in a position of having to figure out how to replace those federal dollars that aren’t coming into it anymore.”

According to Pritzker, Illinois gets close to $3.5 bill. each year in funding to support programs for students, including those with special needs and disabilities, across most districts in the state.

“That is money that can’t be replaced by the state government. $3.5 billion, we can’t do that, not especially on top of the $7 or $8 billion I suspect they will cut in Medicaid in the state of Illinois,” said Pritzker.

According to Lisnek, some states will be hit harder than others.

“Interestingly enough, states that get hit the hardest by this are going to be red states. That’s where it’s going to be felt significantly. That’s where President Trump’s base is,” Lisnek said.

In a statement Thursday, McMahon called the executive order a “history-making action” and said it will free future generations of American students and forge their success. In part, the statement reads:

Education is fundamentally a state responsibility. Instead of filtering resources through layers of federal red tape, we will empower states to take charge and advocate for and implement what is best for students, families, and educators in their communities. 

Closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them—we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs. We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition.