The 2024 election was more than a victory for Donald Trump; it was a seismic shift in the fight for conservative values. With a sweeping win in the Electoral College and popular vote, alongside Republican control of Congress, Trump’s platform to restore state and parental authority over education is already in motion. Central to this agenda is his promise to abolish the Department of Education, a federal behemoth that many conservatives see as a drain on resources and an obstacle to real progress.
This isn’t mere rhetoric. Less than two months before Trump takes office, Senator Mike Rounds, R-S.D., introduced the “Returning Education to Our States Act.” This legislation lays the groundwork to dismantle the department, transferring its functions to state and local authorities. For parents and communities weary of federal overreach, this signals a long-awaited return to common sense. Education, after all, isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor, and the notion that Washington bureaucrats know better than local teachers and parents has worn thin.
For decades, conservatives have argued that the Department of Education, established in 1979 under President Carter, has done more harm than good. Despite spending billions annually, it has failed to significantly improve student outcomes. Instead, it burdens schools with red tape, forces one-size-fits-all solutions, and usurps local authority. Trump’s plan to close the department is about empowering states to shape their own education systems, tailored to their unique communities and needs.
During his campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to prioritize parental rights and local control over education. In his own words, “One thing I’ll be doing very early in the administration is closing up the Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and sending all education work it needs back to the states.” It’s a promise that resonates with working-class Americans who are tired of elites dictating their lives from afar. Trump’s supporters understand that this is about more than efficiency—it’s about reestablishing the rightful balance of power.
Of course, the Left is in a frenzy. Figures like Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are already sounding alarms, claiming that abolishing the department would jeopardize public education. But let’s be honest—this isn’t about protecting students. It’s about preserving their grip on a system they’ve long used to push radical agendas under the guise of federal “guidance.” Critics fear losing the ability to dictate educational priorities from Washington, and their objections are rooted more in ideology than in results.
The truth is that federal overreach has often hindered progress in education. Initiatives like Common Core and excessive standardized testing have led to frustration rather than improvement. Meanwhile, local communities have found themselves handcuffed by mandates that don’t reflect their needs or values. As Senator Rounds aptly put it, “The federal Department of Education has never educated a single student. Local control is best when it comes to education.”
The “Returning Education to Our States Act” represents a pivotal moment. If passed, it would mark a dramatic shift in the relationship between Washington and our schools, signaling that the federal government’s meddling days are over. Trump’s victory wasn’t just a rejection of liberal policies—it was an embrace of the idea that parents and local educators, not bureaucrats, should shape the future of America’s children.
With Republicans in control of Congress and Trump at the helm, now is the time for bold action. This isn’t just about dismantling a bloated agency; it’s about restoring accountability and giving power back to the people who know what’s best for their kids. The fight ahead won’t be easy, but the momentum is on the side of reform—and that’s precisely why Trump won.
