Trump Administration to Reassign Education Department Duties to Other Agencies; Educators Sound Alarm

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced that the Trump administration will transfer many responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Education to other federal agencies. Officials say the move is part of a broader plan envisioned by the administration to reduce the department's scope and shift oversight functions elsewhere.

What the administration says

According to the announcement, the transfers will affect a range of administrative duties currently handled by the Department of Education. The administration frames the change as an effort to streamline services and consolidate related functions across government. Details about the specific programs and timeline for the shift were not fully outlined in the initial statement.

Reactions and potential impact

Educators and union leaders reacted quickly. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), warned in a conversation with anchor Ana Cabrera that shifting responsibilities could disrupt student support services, weaken federal oversight, and create gaps in accountability. She urged clearer information about which programs will move and how student protections will be preserved.

Concerns center on continuity of services, enforcement of civil rights protections in schools, and the potential for reduced support to vulnerable students.

Questions remain

White House reporter Akayla Gardner explained that while the administration insists the reassignments will improve efficiency, many education advocates and policy experts are calling for a detailed implementation plan and assurances that students and schools will not lose critical support during the transition.

Next steps: Lawmakers, education groups, and state officials are expected to seek more information and may press for hearings or oversight to understand how the changes will be carried out and what safeguards will be put in place.