SACRAMENTO, Calif. – In a fiery response to President Donald Trump’s latest executive order, California Governor Gavin Newsom is calling for immediate rejection of what he calls an unprecedented attack on public education.
“This overreach needs to be rejected immediately by a co-equal branch of government. Or was Congress eliminated by this executive order, too?” Newsom said, slamming Trump’s directive to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.
The Trump administration claims its move will give states more control over education, arguing that local decision-making will ultimately benefit students. But critics say the plan threatens crucial funding, especially for the nation’s most vulnerable children.
Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Alberto Carvalho warns that slashing federal education support could have devastating consequences. “A child with disabilities, a child who may be on the spectrum, could lose their paraprofessional, their teacher aid,” he cautioned. “There could be reductions for after-school tutorial programs in math and reading for struggling kids in poverty. Kids who may be experiencing homelessness could be deprived of direct assistance.”
Despite the executive order’s directive to “eliminate” the department, the White House insists it won’t be entirely shut down—only dramatically downsized. Key responsibilities would be shifted to other government agencies.
However, dismantling the Department of Education outright remains a legal challenge. While Trump’s allies in Congress are pushing legislation to make it happen, it’s far from a done deal.
