What’s going on with the Department of Education?

Professor, admin break down what to know about threats to the Department of Education and when to ‘believe the hype’

President Donald Trump has threatened to close the Department of Education. Art by Ellie Starr.

During his first few months in office, President Trump has prioritized the cutting of funds to federal agencies, his latest move targeting the Department of Education. More than 1,000 employees from the department have been fired. Despite the Department of Education’s role as a Cabinet-level agency, President Trump also signed an executive order calling for the education secretary, Linda McMahon, to begin the process of dismantling the organization. This is a move towards the complete shutdown of the department, leading to unanswered questions surrounding the fate of both federal workers and students. 

Dismantling the organization would allow states the ability to allocate funds to schools, and states would also have to ensure civil rights protections for students. Even through the confusion, there are steps students can take to better understand the complex information. 

This argument for the dismantling of the department leans on the states’ abilities to properly allocate funds on their own terms. The coined phrase is “bring it back to the states,” which Trump used for justification to dismantle the department. Norman Williams, a professor of Constitutional law at Willamette College of Law, isn't too worried about the lavish calls for its destruction. “What the president has directed is far more modest than how the press secretary characterizes it,” he said.

While Willamette receives approximately $5 million from the United States Government, Patty Hoban, the director of financial aid, noted that she doesn't believe any immediate, dramatic consequences are imminent. The Trump administration argues to send the oversight of FAFSA to the Treasury Department since they already handle money. During this uncertainty, the main consequence Willamette may witness is potential issues with Pell Grant distribution and Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Right now, that has not happened, and Hoban noted, “Everybody is in a kind of wait-and see-mode.” Currently, there is no specific legislation attacking Pell Grants or FAFSA. Even if Trump were to attack something at the federal level, a wave of lawsuits would ensue in defense.

One of the most confusing aspects of this plan to shut down the department is the legal ability of Trump. Technically, President Trump cannot completely remove the department without the approval from Congress to dismantle the agency, which he is trying to avoid through an executive order. Through an executive order, Trump can order the federal government to take any steps that fall under Constitutional law. While the official dismantling takes the power of Congress through checks and balances, the executive order can begin the long process. Throughout the chaos and pessimistic headlines, Williams advised, “Republicans, don’t get too excited. Democrats, don't get too dismayed.”

Williams also argued that President Trump is using what is called performative politics, where a politician will discuss grandiose plans of large scale political operations and either not finish them or back down. American citizens have recently seen this with Trump after backing down on European tariffs, calling for a 90-day freeze period on April 9. Williams thinks the gutting of the Department of Education is an example of this, explaining how this fits into Trump’s presidential agenda: “[The Trump Administration] get[s] the political benefit to have done something, but then they move on and do something else.”

However, during this potentially frustrating period, Hoban believes there are steps students can take to prepare for the 2025-26 academic year. These steps include filing FAFSA as soon as possible, with the federal deadline being June 30, 2026. Also, students should communicate with the office of financial aid if there are any issues with paperwork. Hoban emphasized the uncertainty of this time, explaining the potential of more work for her and her staff. “I think the more immediate impact is going to be one of difficulty and inconvenience.”