Trump wants to shut down the US Department of Education. What would that mean for Michigan?

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the US Department of Education—and it could have profound effects on Michigan’s public schools.

MICHIGAN—In a move that fulfills a longstanding campaign promise, President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order that seeks to abolish the US Department of Education.

The potential elimination of the federal agency, which is being challenged in court and is almost certainly illegal without congressional approval, could upend public education nationwide, placing Michigan—and its students—at the epicenter of potentially seismic impacts.

And as the news ripples across the state, educators, parents, and policymakers grapple with a looming question: If Trump kills the US Department of Education, what would that mean for Michigan’s public schools and the billions in federal dollars that support its students?

What does Trump’s order entail?

Trump’s order directs US Education Secretary Linda McMahon “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law, take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over to the States and local communities.”

However, fully dismantling the Department would require Congressional approval—setting the stage for a fraught legal and legislative battle that’s almost sure to unfold in the months ahead.

What does the US Department of Education do?

The Department distributes tens of billions of dollars annually to support millions of students in both public and private schools. It provides Title I funding for low-income schools and ensures a free education for kids with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

Its staff also plays a crucial regulatory role, including managing federal student loans and enforcing civil rights laws in both K-12 schools and on college campuses across the country. 

Why does it matter for Michigan students?

Federal education funding helps ensure Michigan’s most vulnerable students—including those from low-income families and rural communities—are able to get a high quality education. 

The state receives about $2.3 billion in federal funding from the Department annually, which goes on to support more than 1.4 million Michigan students in nearly 4,000 schools. 

These funds are integral for special education services, teacher salaries, and other essential resources—including for social workers, transportation, and physical and speech therapy.

Closing the Department could mean redistributing those federal funds elsewhere, including by converting most of the existing federal funding it gives to states for K-12 programs into block grants—a form of funding that comes with far fewer rules and less federal oversight.

What about student loans?

The Department also manages about $1.5 trillion in student loans and administers key programs like Pell Grants and the FAFSA form. And yes—those could be affected, too. 

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has already cut the department’s staff in half and overhauled much of the Department’s work. And billionaire Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency have cut dozens of contracts it dismissed as “woke” and wasteful.

Those layoffs have caused disruptions—with students reporting website outages nationwide.

After signing this week’s order, Trump said that federal Pell grants, among other resources, would be “preserved in full and redistributed to various other agencies and departments.”

On Friday, Trump said the Small Business Administration, instead of the Department of Education, would handle the country’s federal student loans. That has since triggered concerns about how the mass transfer of accounts could trigger errors or compromise borrowers’ privacy. 

Are students’ civil rights at risk?

Yes.

Nearly half of the Department’s Office for Civil Rights staff were also included in the recent layoffs—effectively gutting an office already facing thousands of unresolved cases.

More cuts would further limit the agency’s ability to investigate discrimination complaints involving students with disabilities, racial and religious bias, and sexual violence at schools.

What’s next?

Eliminating the Education Department would likely require an act of Congress. And Michigan’s congressional delegation, among other leaders, are already voicing some significant concerns.

Democrats, such as US Sen. Gary Peters and US Rep. Haley Stevens, have denounced the order as reckless and harmful, emphasizing its potential to exacerbate educational disparities.

“The Department has opened the door to a better future for millions of Americans and this order to dismantle it will set our entire country back for generations,” Peters said in a statement. 

The Department of Education is crucial to ensuring that every American child—regardless of their parents' income or abilities—has access to public education.

— Rep. Haley Stevens (@RepHaleyStevens) March 20, 2025

Conversely, some Republicans—like US Rep. Tim Walberg and Lisa McClain—have praised the decision to abolish the Department, echoing Trump’s call for fewer federal resources for kids.

“​​The key to improving education is empowering parents and students and reducing the role of Washington bureaucrats,” Walberg said in a statement after Trump’s order was released.

The U.S. Department of Education has been pushing woke policies for far too long. There is too much bloated federal bureaucracy.

Despite more money being spent, test scores have not improved. We should focus the dollars on the students, not administrators. I look forward to… https://t.co/fR4i8ScnEe

— Chairwoman Lisa McClain (@RepLisaMcClain) March 20, 2025

Meanwhile, Michigan educators and advocacy groups are sounding alarm bells. 

A joint letter signed by 85 school board members from 36 districts across the state formally condemns the elimination of the Department and calls on both state and federal policymakers to defend public education, as well as fully fund Michigan’s public schools.

As Michigan schools brace for consequences, the focus now turns to legal battles and legislative challenges—including a lawsuit filed last week by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and 20 other attorneys general that seeks to prevent the Department shutdown.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, one of the largest teachers unions in the country, also released a brief—but poignant—response to Trump’s order. 

“See you in court,” she said. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

READ MORE: Nessel sues to stop Trump from dismantling Education Department

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