In a bold move, former U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed his desire to close the Education Department \"immediately.\" 🎓
\"I'd like it to be closed immediately,\" Trump stated from the White House Oval Office. \"The Department of Education's a big con job.\"
Trump highlighted that while the U.S. ranks 40th among the top 40 countries in education, it leads in cost per pupil. \"We spend more per pupil than any other country in the world.\"
He has previously suggested returning the responsibility for education to the states, aiming to reduce the size and functions of the federal government.
The Education Department currently employs over 4,200 people and spent $251 billion in the latest year, according to Reuters. An immediate closure could disrupt billions in aid to students from kindergarten through high school, as well as college tuition assistance.
Following his inauguration on January 20, Trump has been pushing for major federal reforms, including massive workforce reductions and enhancing efficiency through new departments led by tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk.
Alongside the Education Department, Trump has also attempted to shut down other agencies, such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), citing concerns over fraud and corruption.
However, the closure of the Education Department and USAID would require approval from Congress, adding a significant hurdle to these plans.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
