President Donald Trump has taken a historic step by signing an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a long-standing conservative goal. Seated in a mock classroom at the White House, Trump declared this move would return education authority to the states, arguing that federal policies have failed students.

Republicans view the department as a liberal stronghold promoting progressive values, while critics warn this decision could harm student funding, particularly in Republican states that rely on federal education aid. The administration is also cracking down on elite universities, cutting research funding, and targeting academics linked to immigration policies.

While Trump assured that student loans, Pell grants, and special education funding would remain but shift to other agencies, education experts argue that increased class sizes and reduced resources will hurt students nationwide. With education already a key political dividing line, this aggressive approach may energize conservative voters but could also alienate key demographics, posing risks for the Republican Party in the long run.