Trump Action Archive

Supporting reports

• Trump signs Executive Order 14418 restricting birthright citizenship based on parental status and commercial surrogacy. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14418 on August 6, 2026, implementing restrictions on birthright citizenship following the Supreme Court's June 30, 2026 decision in Trump v. Barbara. The order directs federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born in the U.S. when neither parent is a citizen and one or more conditions apply: a parent is designated a terrorist or foreign government employee, parents engaged in commercial surrogacy or citizenship-purchase transactions, or the child was born in U.S. territories where federal statute does not confer citizenship. The Secretary of State, Attorney General, Secretary of Homeland Security, and Commissioner of Social Security must ensure agency compliance within 30 days.
• Trump signs executive order restricting birth tourism and citizenship acquisition via childbirth on U.S. soil — President Trump signed Executive Order 14419 on August 6, 2026, establishing policy to prevent "birth tourism"—entry of foreign nationals on nonimmigrant visas for the purpose of giving birth in the United States. The order delegates authority to the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to deny visas, revoke travel authorization, bar entry, and remove aliens engaged in or facilitating birth tourism. The order defines birth tourism as entry via nonimmigrant visa for childbirth purposes or efforts to facilitate such entry. Secretaries may grant exemptions on humanitarian grounds or national interest.
• Trump issues executive order restricting birth tourism via nonimmigrant visas — President Donald Trump signed an executive order on August 6, 2026, directing the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to prevent foreign nationals from entering the United States on nonimmigrant visas for the purpose of giving birth. The order authorizes visa denial, revocation, permanent entry bars, and removal of individuals engaged in birth tourism, and permits sanctions against entities facilitating such schemes. The order defines birth tourism as entry via nonimmigrant visa to give birth or efforts to facilitate such entry, and allows exemptions on humanitarian or national-interest grounds.
• Trump issues executive order restricting birthright citizenship based on Supreme Court ruling — President Trump issued an executive order on August 6, 2026, implementing restrictions on birthright citizenship following the Supreme Court's June 30, 2026 decision in Trump v. Barbara. The order directs federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born in the U.S. whose parents fall into specified categories: designated foreign terrorists, foreign government employees, those engaged in commercial transactions to obtain birthright citizenship, or those born in U.S. territories where citizenship is not conferred by statute. The order requires State Department, DOJ, DHS, and Social Security Administration to enforce compliance within 30 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14418 restricting birthright citizenship based on parental status — President Trump signed Executive Order 14418 on August 6, 2026, directing federal agencies to deny citizenship recognition to children born in the United States whose parents do not include a U.S. citizen, in four specified categories: when either parent is designated a terrorist or foreign government employee; when parents engaged in commercial transactions to secure birthright citizenship; or when birth occurs in U.S. territories where citizenship is not conferred by statute. The order cites the Supreme Court's June 2026 decision in Trump v. Barbara as legal foundation and directs State, Homeland Security, Justice, and Social Security to issue implementation guidance within 30 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14419 restricting entry and visa authorization for foreign nationals engaging in birth tourism — President Trump signed Executive Order 14419 on August 6, 2026, directing the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to prevent entry, deny visas, revoke travel authorization, and permanently bar foreign nationals who enter or attempt to enter the United States for the purpose of giving birth. The order defines birth tourism as entry via nonimmigrant visa for childbirth purposes and authorizes removal of those who previously engaged in or plan to engage in such activity. The order states it aims to protect immigration system integrity and prevent exploitation of nonimmigrant visa categories.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive orders restricting birthright citizenship and birth tourism — The White House published a fact sheet on August 6, 2026, announcing that President Trump signed two executive orders. The first identifies categories of children of aliens ineligible for birthright citizenship consistent with the Supreme Court's June 30, 2026 decision in Trump v. Barbara. The second delegates authority to the Secretary of State and Secretary of Homeland Security to halt birth tourism. The fact sheet claims the administration has deported over 3 million individuals, filed denaturalization claims against 88 people, and purged tens of thousands of individuals from voter rolls.
• Trump signs executive orders further restricting birthright citizenship — Trump signed two executive orders designed to further restrict eligibility for birthright citizenship and to prevent people from entering the U.S. to give birth. The orders target four groups of children and are likely to face legal challenges. They come just over a month after the Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship as constitutionally protected.
• Trump signed two new executive orders targeting birthright citizenship — Trump signed two executive orders targeting birthright citizenship 37 days after the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 in Trump v. Barbara that his first-day 2025 order was unlawful and violated the Fourteenth Amendment. One new order expands categories of people deemed ineligible for birthright citizenship; the other targets "birth tourism." Trump called the Supreme Court decision "very unfortunate" and stated the administration is "making adjustments."
• Trump signs executive orders targeting birthright citizenship after Supreme Court rejection — On Thursday, August 7, 2026, President Trump signed two executive orders seeking to restrict birthright citizenship protections under the 14th Amendment. The first order expands categories of children ineligible for automatic US citizenship to include children of members of "foreign terrorist organizations" and certain foreign government employees, and denies citizenship to children whose parents engaged in fraudulent activity. The second order targets "birth tourism" by directing federal agencies to prosecute operators arranging such travel. Both orders face expected legal challenges, coming weeks after the Supreme Court rejected Trump's initial, broader attempt to deny citizenship to children of undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders.
• Trump signs new birthright citizenship order — Former President Donald Trump signed a new executive order aimed at altering the interpretation of birthright citizenship in the United States. This order challenges the current understanding of the 14th Amendment, which grants citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. The order is expected to face legal challenges and could potentially reach the Supreme Court for a final decision on its constitutionality.

Supporting reports

• The Save America Act: A Modern Day Poll Tax — The Democracy Docket article discusses the implications of the Save America Act, which is characterized as a modern-day poll tax. The act is critiqued for potentially restricting voting rights and access, drawing parallels to historical poll taxes that disenfranchised voters. The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring such legislative actions as they can significantly impact democratic participation and election fairness.
• Trump administration executive order restricting mail-in voting challenged in federal court — A coalition of civil rights groups filed a lawsuit in federal court in Massachusetts on Thursday challenging an executive order Trump signed on Tuesday that restricts mail-in voting. The order instructs the federal government to create a list of eligible voters in each state and directs the US Postal Service to transmit mail-in ballots only to people on that list. The plaintiffs argue the order violates the Constitution's separation of powers, Article I Section 4 (state control of elections), the Voting Rights Act, and the Privacy Act. This is Trump's second attempt to unilaterally alter voting procedures; a previous order was largely blocked by a federal judge last year.
• Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections — President Trump issued an executive order directing creation of lists of US citizens eligible to vote in each state and requiring the US Postal Service to refrain from sending mailed ballots to anyone not on those lists. The order drew immediate condemnation for apparent unconstitutionality and swift threats of legal action from voting rights advocates.
• Trump issues executive order on voter eligibility lists and mail ballot restrictions — President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to compile a national voter file and restricting mail-in ballot use. The order requires USPS to establish rule-making for a process prohibiting mail-in ballots unless voters are on a federal approval list. Election law experts and Democratic officials immediately challenged the order as unconstitutional, citing the Constitution's grant of election authority to states. Multiple lawsuits were announced within hours of signing.
• Trump signs executive order restricting mail-in ballots and directing national voter file compilation — President Trump signed an executive order attacking mail-in voting, directing the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Social Security Administration to create a federal list of verified U.S. citizens eligible to vote in each state. The order directs the U.S. Postal Service to send mail-in ballots only to voters on the list and to mark each ballot with a unique barcode. It threatens states refusing to cooperate with loss of federal funding and directs Attorney General Pam Bondi to investigate anyone wrongfully distributing mail-in ballots. Election law experts and Democratic officials immediately challenged the order as unconstitutional.
• Trump signed executive order restricting mail-in voting — The White House published a fact sheet characterizing the Trump administration's policies on transgender issues as dismantling "woke" initiatives. The document claims the administration declared two immutable sexes as official policy, banned federal funding for gender-affirming medical care for minors, ended federal support for "gender ideology" curricula, enforced sex-based sports eligibility, reinstated military service standards based on biological sex, eliminated gender ideology from service academies, directed enforcement of single-sex spaces based on biological sex, ended gender self-identification on federal documents, and redirected billions in grants. The fact sheet attributes policy changes to multiple health systems and sports organizations.
• White House issued fact sheet on Trump administration policies regarding transgender-related healthcare, military service, and education — The White House published a fact sheet on March 31, 2026, describing an executive order signed by President Trump that directs the Secretary of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to compile state citizenship lists of eligible voters, requires the Postmaster General to establish secure ballot procedures through USPS, and directs the Attorney General to investigate and prosecute election officials who issue ballots to ineligible voters and to withhold federal funds from noncompliant states. The fact sheet frames the order as strengthening election integrity and preventing non-citizen voting.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order requiring citizenship verification for federal elections — On March 31, Trump signed an executive order directing the administration to compile lists of verified eligible voters in each state and requiring USPS to deliver mail-in ballots only to voters on state-approved absentee lists. On April 21, 37 Democratic senators warned that the order illegally transforms USPS into an election administration agency. State attorneys general filed suit on April 22, and senators introduced the Absentee and Mail Voter Protection Act to nullify the order. Election law experts called it unconstitutional.
• Trump's mail-voting executive order drew legal challenges and legislative response — On Tuesday, March 31, 2026, President Trump signed an executive order framed as an "election integrity" measure that directs the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration to create a national voter list, orders the Postal Service to send mail-in ballots only to those on the list, and instructs the Attorney General to withhold federal funds from "non-compliant" states and cities. Legal experts and voting rights advocates say the order is unconstitutional and likely to be blocked by courts, as the President lacks authority over elections—a power reserved to states and Congress.
• Trump signs executive order restricting mail-in voting and directing creation of national voter list — Trump signed an executive order at 5:00 PM requiring the federal government to compile a list of US citizens eligible to vote in each state and mandating that ballots be sent only to those on each state's approved mail-in ballot list. The order threatened to withhold federal funding from states that disobey. The Postal Service was directed to monitor mail-in ballot distribution for federal elections.
• Trump signed executive order restricting mail-in voting nationwide — President Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit state citizenship lists to election officials, requiring the Postal Service to implement unique ballot identifiers (barcodes) on mail-in ballots, and instructing the Attorney General to prioritize investigation and prosecution of election officials and others involved in issuing ballots to non-citizens. The order mandates DHS establish infrastructure within 90 days and USPS complete rulemaking within 120 days to enforce these requirements across federal elections.
• Trump issues executive order on citizenship verification and mail-in ballot tracking for federal elections — President Trump signed Executive Order 14399 on March 31, 2026, directing the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to state election officials a "State Citizenship List" derived from federal citizenship, naturalization, and Social Security Administration records. The order requires the U.S. Postal Service to initiate rulemaking within 60 days mandating that all outbound ballot mail bear unique Intelligent Mail barcodes and "Official Election Mail" markings, with states required to submit lists of eligible mail-in voters to USPS at least 60 days before elections. The order directs the Attorney General to prioritize investigation and prosecution of state and local election officials and others involved in issuing ballots to ineligible individuals. The USPS must issue final rules within 120 days.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14399 directing federal citizenship verification and mail-in ballot tracking for federal elections — Trump signed an executive order on March 31 to restrict mail-in voting by creating a list of eligible US citizen voters in every state and prohibiting the US Postal Service from sending absentee ballots to voters not on state-approved lists. The order threatens to withhold federal funding from states that refuse to comply. States including Oregon and Arizona have challenged the order, arguing it violates the Constitution.
• Trump signs executive order restricting mail-in voting

Supporting reports

• Trump signs Executive Order 14365 establishing federal AI policy framework and authorizing legal challenges to state AI laws — President Trump signed Executive Order 14365 on December 11, 2025, establishing a national policy framework for artificial intelligence designed to minimize regulatory barriers to AI innovation. The order directs the Attorney General to establish an AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state AI laws deemed inconsistent with federal policy, authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate and identify "onerous" state AI laws within 90 days, and empowers federal agencies to condition discretionary grants on states either refraining from enacting conflicting AI laws or agreeing not to enforce them. The order also directs the FCC and FTC to initiate proceedings on federal AI reporting standards and preemption of state laws requiring "deceptive" AI outputs.
• Trump signs executive order to preempt state AI regulation and establish federal litigation taskforce — On December 11, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order titled "Ensuring a national policy framework for artificial intelligence" that seeks to block states from regulating AI technology. The order creates a Department of Justice "AI Litigation Task Force" with the sole responsibility of challenging state AI laws. Though the order lacks the force of law, it resurrects a failed legislative effort to impose a 10-year moratorium on state AI regulation and directs review of existing state laws requiring AI safety disclosures or algorithmic discrimination assessments. The order prioritizes Silicon Valley interests over state consumer protections and civil liberties concerns.
• Trump issues executive order establishing national AI policy framework and challenging state AI laws — President Trump signed an executive order on December 11, 2025, directing the federal government to establish a minimally burdensome national policy framework for artificial intelligence and to challenge state AI laws deemed inconsistent with federal policy. The order creates an AI Litigation Task Force within the Department of Justice to sue states over AI regulations, directs the Commerce Secretary to evaluate and identify "onerous" state AI laws within 90 days, and conditions federal broadband funding on states' compliance with the national framework. The order explicitly targets state laws requiring AI models to alter outputs or disclose information in ways the administration views as unconstitutional.
• Trump announces executive order to preempt state AI regulations — President Trump announced on Truth Social that he will sign an executive order this week to preempt state-level AI regulations. A leaked draft of the order, drawn from an Andreessen Horowitz policy memo, would require the Attorney General to assemble an "AI Litigation Task Force" to overturn state AI laws using Commerce Clause arguments and would withhold federal broadband grants from states implementing AI regulations. Legal experts dispute this interpretation of the Commerce Clause.
• White House issues fact sheet on executive order establishing national AI policy framework — The White House issued a fact sheet on December 11, 2025, describing an executive order signed by President Trump to establish a national policy framework for artificial intelligence. The order directs the Attorney General to establish an AI Litigation Task Force to challenge state AI laws; instructs the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate and potentially defund states with conflicting AI laws; and directs the FTC and FCC to limit states' ability to regulate AI companies. The fact sheet states the order aims to preempt a "patchwork" of state regulations and characterizes certain state laws as requiring "DEI ideology" and "Woke AI."
• White House signed Executive Order 14365 establishing federal preemption framework for state AI regulation — President Trump signed Executive Order 14365 on December 11, 2025, directing the establishment of a national AI policy framework designed to preempt state-level AI regulations. The order creates an AI Litigation Task Force within the Department of Justice to challenge state AI laws deemed inconsistent with federal policy, directs the Secretary of Commerce to evaluate and identify "onerous" state AI laws within 90 days, and authorizes withholding of federal broadband funding from states with AI laws conflicting with the order's policy. The order also directs the FCC and FTC to issue preemption standards and policy statements regarding AI disclosure and deceptive conduct.

Supporting reports

• USDA directs states to reverse SNAP benefit payments issued under court order — The US Department of Agriculture issued a Saturday memo directing states to "immediately undo" full Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits distributed to approximately 42 million low-income Americans on Friday, following a Supreme Court order that temporarily paused a lower court ruling requiring full November payments during the federal government shutdown. The USDA warned states that noncompliance could result in cancellation of federal administration cost-sharing and liability for overpayments, though the scope of the directive—particularly regarding states using their own funds—remained unclear.
• USDA deputy undersecretary ordered states to reverse SNAP payments already issued — On Saturday, November 8, 2025, Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary for food, nutrition, and consumer services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, sent a memo to states declaring that any full SNAP payment files sent for November 2025 were "unauthorized" and ordering states to "immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits." The memo threatened states with cancellation of federal administrative cost reimbursement and liability for any overissuances if they failed to comply.
• Trump administration directed states to undo full SNAP benefit payments — The Trump administration sent a memo to state agencies on November 8 directing them to "immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits" for November after the Supreme Court paused an order for food benefit payments to be issued one day earlier. This action sought to reverse emergency food assistance that had been authorized, affecting millions of low-income Americans relying on the program during a federal government shutdown.
• Administration refused to fund SNAP benefits to pressure Democrats on continuing resolution — The Trump administration declined to use congressionally established emergency reserve funds to support the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which 42 million Americans depend on for food. House Republicans passed a continuing resolution in September; Speaker Mike Johnson has blocked further House work to force the Senate to pass it. Democrats refused unless Republicans extended premium tax credits supporting the Affordable Care Act. The administration's refusal to tap SNAP reserves—a practice used by prior administrations including Trump's first term—was designed to pressure Democrats to capitulate on the healthcare issue.
• Administration Refuses to Fund SNAP Benefits — The Trump administration has refused to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), affecting 42 million Americans, as a tactic to pressure Democrats into agreeing to a continuing resolution passed by House Republicans. The administration previously stated it would not use emergency funds to support SNAP, leading to multiple lawsuits. A federal judge ordered the administration to distribute SNAP benefits, but the administration appealed the ruling and sought a stay from the Supreme Court, which was granted by Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
• USDA Memo to States on SNAP Payments — The USDA sent a memo to states instructing them to reverse any unauthorized full SNAP payments issued for November, warning of potential consequences for noncompliance. This memo followed confusion over the administration's directives regarding SNAP funding.

Supporting reports

• Federal judge ordered SNAP benefits funding from emergency reserve — U.S. District Judge John McConnell of the District of Rhode Island ordered the Trump administration to fund SNAP benefit payments using the $4.65 billion emergency reserve Congress had set aside. McConnell suggested the administration could make full November payments by also tapping the Child Nutrition Program and other funds, but left discretion to the administration.
• Federal judge orders administration to restore SNAP benefits — On November 6, 2025, U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in the District of Rhode Island found that the Trump administration had violated his prior court order by withholding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. The judge accused the administration of withholding benefits "for political reasons" and cited Trump's social media post stating SNAP would be funded only after the shutdown ends as evidence of "intent to defy the court order." McConnell ordered full SNAP payments to states by November 7 for distribution to beneficiaries.
• Judge McConnell found administration ignored court order and mandated full SNAP benefit distribution — After the Trump administration failed to comply with his initial order to distribute at least partial SNAP benefits, Judge John McConnell found the administration in violation and issued a new order requiring the Trump administration to distribute the full amount of SNAP benefits for November to the states for distribution by the end of Friday (November 7, 2025).
• Trump administration appeals SNAP benefits ruling — On November 6, 2025, immediately after Judge John McConnell's order to restore SNAP benefits, the Trump administration filed an appeal of the ruling.

Supporting reports

• Trump threatens to withhold SNAP benefits unless Democrats capitulate on government funding — On November 4, 2025, President Trump threatened on social media to withhold SNAP (food assistance) benefits to 42 million Americans unless Democrats vote to fund the government. The threat came after the Trump administration had been forced by court rulings to provide emergency funds to keep SNAP operating at 50% capacity during the shutdown. Trump's statement—"Snap benefits will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government"—weaponizes a critical anti-poverty program as leverage in the funding standoff.
• Trump announced withholding SNAP benefits to pressure Democrats on government shutdown — President Trump announced via social media that SNAP benefits for 43 million Americans would be withheld until Democrats agree to reopen the government on Republican terms. This directly contradicted a federal court order from U.S. District Judge John McConnell requiring the administration to fund SNAP using emergency reserves. The White House initially claimed full compliance but Trump's announcement made clear the administration intended to use hunger as political leverage in the shutdown dispute.
• Trump announced refusal to comply with federal court order on SNAP benefits distribution — President Trump posted on Truth Social that he would refuse to follow a federal court order requiring SNAP benefits distribution to nearly 42 million Americans, stating benefits would only be given when "Radical Left Democrats open up govt." The White House later clarified the administration was still sending partial food aid benefits despite the president's threat, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating the administration was "fully complying with the court order."
• Trump defies court order on SNAP benefits — Also on Truth Social, Trump said that SNAP benefits "will be given only when the Radical Left Democrats open up government … and not before!" despite a court order requiring the administration to issue payments.

Supporting reports

• Administration withholds education funding pending review — The Trump administration announced on June 30 that it would not release nearly $7 billion in education funding appropriated by Congress in March, citing the need to conduct a "review." The funds were scheduled for release by July 1 and included support for teacher recruitment and training, arts and music education in low-income areas, English-language learner programs, and assistance for children of migrant farm workers. The Office of Management and Budget stated the funds were being "grossly misused to subsidize a radical left-wing agenda."
• Trump Education Department withheld $6.8 billion in K–12 school funding — The Trump Education Department announced it is withholding $6.8 billion in K–12 school funding that by law was required to be disbursed on July 1, 2025. The administration stated it believes the appropriation is unconstitutional, despite the Constitution providing that Congress alone has the power to write laws and charging the president with ensuring laws are faithfully executed.
• Trump’s Education Department withholds $6.8 billion in school funding — The Trump administration announced it is withholding $6.8 billion in K–12 school funding that was legally required to be disbursed starting today. The administration claims the funding is unconstitutional, defying the law that mandates the disbursement of appropriations passed by Congress.
• Trump administration withheld $7 billion in federal school funding — The Trump administration withheld nearly $7 billion in scheduled federal funding for schools, telling state education agencies that the funds, which support after-school, English-language learning, adult education, and other programs, are unavailable and under review. The withholding removes resources from educational programs.

Supporting reports

• Trump orders dismantling of US Department of Education — On Thursday, Donald Trump ordered the dismantling of the US Department of Education, raising concerns about the management of student debt. The department will see a 50% staff reduction but will continue to handle student loans and Pell Grants. This move has sparked uncertainty among borrowers and criticism from education advocates who fear it will lead to mismanagement and reduced access to education funding. The administration claims critical functions will remain, but doubts persist about the department's capacity to manage its responsibilities effectively.
• Trump signs executive order to dismantle US Department of Education — On Thursday, Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the US education secretary, Linda McMahon, to begin dismantling the Department of Education. This move is seen as an attempt to bypass the need for congressional approval to formally close a federal department. The order instructs McMahon to take necessary steps to shut down key functionalities of the department, although major programs like Title I and the federal student loan program are not immediately affected. The action has been criticized by Democrats as unconstitutional and harmful to low-income families relying on federal education funding.
• Trump signed executive order to dismantle Department of Education — Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the Department of Education, a move that would require congressional approval to be legally enacted. The order proposes significant cuts to educational funding, including the elimination of programs for students with disabilities and those who speak English as a second language. The order also targets Pell Grants and federal financial aid for low-income students. The action has been criticized as illegal by various officials, including New York Attorney General Letitia James, who announced plans to challenge the order in court.
• Trump signed Executive Order 14242 directing closure of the Department of Education and return of education authority to states and local communities. — President Trump signed Executive Order 14242 on March 20, 2025, ordering the Secretary of Education to take all necessary steps to close the Department of Education and return education authority to states and local communities. The order directs the Secretary to ensure effective delivery of services during transition and mandates that any federal education funding recipients terminate programs labeled "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or promoting "gender ideology." The order frames federal education control as failed policy and proposes returning functions to states.
• Trump signs executive order to dismantle Department of Education — On March 20, 2025, Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education. Trump stated "My administration will take all lawful steps to shut down the department. We're going to shut it down and shut it down as quickly as possible. It's doing us no good." The order appears to attempt circumventing the need for congressional approval to formally close a federal department.
• Trump issues executive order to close Department of Education — President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education. This move aims to bypass the need for congressional approval to formally close the department. Trump justified the decision by citing the department's increased budget without corresponding improvements in national test scores. The executive order has been met with criticism from Democrats, who argue it could jeopardize federal funding for low-income families and negatively impact public education.
• President Trump signed executive order directing closure of Department of Education — President Donald Trump issued an executive order on March 20, 2025, directing the closure of the Department of Education and the return of educational authority to states and local communities. The order mandates the Secretary of Education to facilitate this transition while ensuring the continued delivery of educational services. The order criticizes federal control over education and aims to empower parents, states, and communities to improve educational outcomes. It also emphasizes compliance with federal law and administration policy, particularly regarding programs labeled as "diversity, equity, and inclusion."
• White House issued fact sheet promoting executive order on education authority devolution — President Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to begin the process of permanently closing the Department of Education and returning education authority to the states. The order states the department has spent over $3 trillion "with virtually nothing to show for it." The White House release compiled statements of support from governors, senators, representatives, state education officials, and advocacy organizations, all framing the action as returning control to states and parents.
• White House signed Executive Order 14242 directing closure of the Department of Education and return of authority to states and communities. — The White House published a fact sheet on March 20, 2025, promoting an executive order signed by President Trump that day. The order directs the Secretary of Education to facilitate closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to states. The fact sheet states the order also directs that programs receiving remaining Department of Education funds will not advance DEI or gender ideology. The document asserts federal education spending has failed to improve student achievement and cites declining standardized test scores.
• Trump signed executive order dismantling Department of Education — The White House issued Executive Order 14242 on March 20, 2025, directing the Secretary of Education to take steps to close the Department of Education and return education authority to states and local communities. The order states that federal education spending has failed to improve outcomes, citing low reading and math proficiency rates. It directs the Secretary to ensure federal funds comply with Administration policy, including termination of programs labeled "diversity, equity, and inclusion" or promoting "gender ideology." The order does not establish a timeline or mechanism for closure.
• White House issued release on education policy framing — Trump signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, a congressionally-created department, eliminating the federal agency responsible for education policy and student aid.
• — The White House published a release titled "On Education, President Trump Knows We Can Do Better" asserting that the Department of Education has spent $3 trillion since 1979 with no measurable improvement in student achievement. The release cites declining math and reading scores, flat standardized test performance, and U.S. ranking 28th among OECD countries in math. It states the Trump Administration's plan will return education to individual states to expand educational freedom and reduce federal regulation and paperwork.
• — Former President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at dismantling the US Department of Education. This move has been met with significant opposition from teachers' unions and Democratic politicians, who argue that the department plays a crucial role in upholding civil rights protections and providing federal funds to schools. The American Federation of Teachers has indicated plans to challenge the order in court. The order cannot fully eliminate the department, as it was created by Congress and requires congressional action to be dissolved.