People are voicing worries after Donald Trump issued an executive order dismantling the Department of Education (DoE).

In recent days, Trump began the process of closing down the decades-old department, laying off over half of its 4,133 employees.

According to reports, there are still just over 2,000 individuals working at the DoE, but their future is uncertain now that Trump has signed an executive order to close the agency.

The White House stated earlier on Thursday (March 20) that the agency will continue to oversee federal student loans, but the directive appears to contradict that.

It claims that the Education Department lacks the resources to monitor its 1.6 trillion-dollar loan portfolio, and it must relinquish bank operations to an institution qualified to serve America’s children.

The plan to lay off hundreds of employees had already sparked criticism.

At the time, National Education Association President Becky Pringle stated that the Trump administration had ‘abandoned children, parents, and educators throughout the nation.’

Others, however, contend that the Department of Education has long been funneling ‘billions of public funds into a dysfunctional system.’

Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, who supports the DoE’s dismantling, stated, “For decades, it has funneled billions of taxpayer dollars into a failing system—one that prioritizes leftist indoctrination over academic excellence, all while student achievement stagnates and America falls further behind.”

Elsewhere, Derrick Johnson, president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), is not pleased with the outcome.

“This is a dark day for the millions of American children who depend on federal funding for a quality education, including those in poor and rural communities with parents who voted for Trump,” according to him.

Opponents are reportedly preparing legal challenges, including Democracy Forward, a public interest litigation group.

Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer described the act as a ‘tyrannical power grab’ and ‘one of the most damaging and catastrophic steps Donald Trump has ever taken.’

Margaret Spellings, who served as education secretary under Republican President George W. Bush, questioned whether the agency would be able to complete its remaining duties and eventually improve schools.

“Will it distract us from the ability to focus urgently on student achievement, or will people be figuring out how to run the train?” She raised her hand.

What are your thoughts on the Trump administration’s decision to destroy the DoE? Leave a comment below.