Does President Donald Trump have the power to shut down any department? He cannot unilaterally shut down the Education Department as it was established by legislation and requires an act of Congress to be eliminated. His authority allows him to reduce the department’s scope but not abolish it entirely without congressional approval.

In basic terms, amidst President Trump’s talk of closing the Department of Education, teachers, parents and students are uncertain about potential changes in K-12 schools and colleges.

         The president doesn’t have the power to dismantle any department; it requires an act of Congress. Source: Google Photos.

The Trump administration has reportedly cancelled plans to sign an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the closure of the Education Department. Following reports from The Wall Street Journal and other media outlets regarding plans from the White House, President Trump’s press secretary dismissed these reports as “fake news”. Additionally, the press secretary stated that no executive order would be signed on Thursday to shut down the Education Department.

                                      Randi Weingarten, the head of the teachers’ union. Source Google Photos.

Randi Weingarten, the head of the teachers’ union, emphasized that the Department of Education’s primary goal is to ensure fairness and reduce disparities to support every American child’s success. She cautioned against using critiques like a ‘war on woke’ to undermine efforts for children in poverty and those with disabilities, potentially redirecting resources towards vouchers and tax cuts for billionaires instead.