Trump administration pursues dismantling of education department, moves functions to other departments

The US Department of Education (DOE) will transfer its responsibilities for special education and civil rights to the Departments of Justice (DOJ) and Health and Human Services (HHS), as part of an ongoing effort by the Trump administration to dismantle the DOE, an intention he announced at the beginning of his term in 2024.

The Department of Education, headed by Secretary Linda McMahon, announced on 16/06/2026 that it had signed four new partnerships to "reduce federal bureaucracy and improve the efficient delivery of federally funded programmes and activities to better support students and families".

"HHS will partner with DOE on special education and rehabilitative services, and DOJ will partner with DOE on civil rights enforcement, student privacy protection, and training and advisory services," the DOE said.

"These agreements align federal responsibilities with the agencies best positioned to support them, strengthening the effectiveness and impact of critical services," McMahon added.

Senator Chuck Schumer, New York’s Senator and the Senate Democratic Leader, reacted saying…