Official records from the U.S. Congress or presidential announcements

Trump Plans to Eliminate Department of Education, Expand School Choice, Threatens $7.9 Billion Cut to California

Oct 18, 2024, 03:48 PM

Former President Donald Trump has announced a series of significant changes to the U.S. education system if he is re-elected. Trump plans to defund and eliminate the Department of Education, transferring control to the states. He emphasized his commitment to school choice, stating it as a major platform of his campaign. Trump also expressed his willingness to sign the nationwide school choice bill, the Educational Choice for Children Act, which recently passed the House Ways and Means Committee with a vote of 23 to 16. This marks the first time a nationwide school choice bill has passed out of committee in U.S. history. Additionally, he threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that teach certain aspects of American history, including slavery and indigenous genocide. Trump specifically mentioned withholding $7.9 billion in school funding from California if the state does not comply with his demands.