Andra,
Did you see our email last week? Donald Trump doesn't just support eliminating the Department of Education—it was a campaign promise, one he plans to deliver on.1 And conservatives are flocking to make it a top priority come January. We are preparing to resist the Trump administration's attack on public education, and we need your help.
Trump's plan would be disastrous for families, students, and educators. "Trump winning is the worst thing that could have happened to education," one teacher reported. "Schools already don't have enough money. If Trump gets rid of the DOE, then all the services our students with learning disabilities and language learners will lose support."2 Trump could irrevocably wreak havoc on the protections and funding that the DOE provides—but he can't eliminate the federal department without approval from Congress.
If that doesn't sound the alarm, Trump's shocking pick to lead the Education Department, Linda McMahon—a former professional wrestling executive, billionaire, and self-proclaimed "outsider" to education—should. She served only one year on the Connecticut State Board of Education and is currently the chair of the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank packed with MAGA loyalists.3 And McMahon and her husband are currently under investigation for reportedly ignoring accusations of child sexual abuse against a World Wrestling Entertainment employee.4
Trump is tapping McMahon to erode our nation's public education system by defunding the Department of Education, expanding voucher programs that siphon taxpayer money to unaccountable private schools, and strip away resources from our schools and highest-need students.5
We need Congress to fight back against any attempts to dissolve or undermine the DOE. Click here to add your name to the petition and then forward to three friends to help spread the word.–Aliya, Kelsey, Nita, Toni, and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "What Happens To Student Loan ForgivenessIf Trump Abolishes The Department Of Education?" Forbes, December 16, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200898?t=5&akid=418303%2E53570607%2EC_PRLi
2. "'The Boys Are Excited. The Girls Are Terrified': This Is How Teachers And Students Are Feeling Now That Trump Will Be President For The Next Four Years," Buzzfeed, December 16, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200900?t=7&akid=418303%2E53570607%2EC_PRLi
3. "Trump picks business executive Linda McMahon to lead the Education Department," NPR, November 19, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200902?t=9&akid=418303%2E53570607%2EC_PRLi
4. "Trump's Education Secretary Pick Named in Sexual Abuse Lawsuit," The New York Times, November 21, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200905?t=12&akid=418303%2E53570607%2EC_PRLi
5. "Trump picks business executive Linda McMahon to lead the Education Department," NPR, November 19, 2024
https://act.moveon.org/go/200902?t=15&akid=418303%2E53570607%2EC_PRLi
Dear MoveOn member,
Public education in this country is under attack. And Trump has already made clear his intentions to undermine public education even further at every turn—including the extreme proposal to completely eliminate the Department of Education (DOE).
"One other thing I'll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education," Trump stated back in 2023, warning that he would be "sending all education and education work and needs back to the states."6
And in preparation for Trump's second presidency, conservative, anti-public-education organizations like the American Culture Project are pushing for abolishing the Department of Education to be a priority. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who will be heading the new "Department of Government Efficiency," seem to be on board.7 And just weeks after the election, a Republican senator introduced legislation to dismantle the DOE.8
There are checks and balances in our democracy, and our elected officials are still beholden to their constituents. Trump can't eliminate a federal department without approval from Congress. We have to take action NOW to make it clear to our elected officials that they cannot allow the Department of Education to be abolished.
Protecting students from discrimination.
Funding schools with high low-income student populations.
Bolstering school programs that support students with disabilities.
Administering federal student loans.
Collecting data and reporting out on schools across the country.
Working toward equal access to education.
That's the role of the Department of Education and what's at risk if Trump is successful in abolishing the DOE.
And he won't stop there. Project 2025 has an entire section focused on reshaping—or, more accurately, dismantling—our public education system and a plan to drain all of our resources to reroute to private education. The plan not only includes eliminating the DOE but also getting rid of teachers unions, ending federal funding, and gutting any programs that support equity and inclusion, even free school lunch programs and Head Start.9
K-12 public schools are massively underfunded by more than $150 BILLION annually—meaning educators are continually asked to do more for less, as their own wages stagnate.10 And it's the 30 million students in these underfunded districts that pay the price long-term.11 This "opportunity gap," as it's called, affects Black children disproportionately, who are three times more likely to reside in districts that are "chronically underfunded."12
By sending education "back to the states," Trump will be worsening existing inequities in our public education system. Everyone deserves to have access to a quality education—regardless of who they are or where they live. We have to fight for the future of our children's education. We have to fight to protect the DOE.
Thanks for all you do.
–Aliya, Kelsey, Nita, Toni, and the rest of the team
You're receiving this petition because we thought it might interest you. It was created on MoveOn.org, where anyone can start their own online petitions. You can start your own petition here.
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