Shortly after being sworn in, Linda McMahon, Trump’s Education Secretary, addressed the department’s 4,400 employees with a compelling memo entitled “Our Department’s Final Mission.” In her message, she emphasized the department’s unique opportunity to provide a decisive service to future generations of students. “This is our opportunity to perform one final, unforgettable public service to future generations of students,” McMahon stated. \n\nMcMahon encouraged her colleagues to contribute towards an education landscape that is “freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future.” Current discussions surrounding Trump’s agenda include a drastic restructuring of the Department of Education, with potential cuts to existing programs as he and fellow Republicans argue that the department promotes a “woke” ideology. \n\nAs reported, Trump’s administration is not only considering the elimination of some programs, but also shifting others to alternate departments like the Treasury. This move has incited a backlash from the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), which contends that Trump’s plans dismiss the education needs of underprivileged students. The AFT’s statement remarked, “No one likes bureaucracy, and everyone’s in favor of more efficiency, so let’s find ways to accomplish that. But don’t use a ‘war on woke’ to attack the children living in poverty and the children with disabilities.”\n\nIt’s crucial to note that the Department of Education is the smallest in the president’s cabinet, comprising less than 2% of the total federal budget. Established in 1979, it has always been key in shaping federal education policy, although it does not directly operate schools or determine curricular standards—these decisions are left up to state governments and local educational authorities. \n\nThe Trump administration’s proposed cuts may lead to nearly 2,100 employees being placed on administrative leave beginning March 21, following a trend of workforce reductions initiated by the unit known as Doge, led by Elon Musk. This unit aims to increase federal efficiency and substantially reduce government agency sizes. \n\nIn conclusion, while Trump’s administration pushes for significant transformations within the education sector, the implications of these moves are prompting fervent discussion regarding equitable access to quality education.