A new poll reveals that more than half of U.S. voters support President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the federal Department of Education—marking a major shift in public sentiment on one of the most controversial agencies in Washington.
The Rasmussen Reports survey, conducted between March 30 and April 1, found that 51% of likely voters approve of Trump’s order to begin shutting down the DOE, including 37% who “strongly approve.” Meanwhile, 47% disapprove, with 35% voicing strong disapproval.
The findings come weeks after Trump signed an executive order on March 20 to begin the department’s dismantling—fulfilling one of his long-standing campaign promises to return education authority to states, communities, and parents.
Party Line Divide
Unsurprisingly, views on the Department of Education (DOE) and its fate are sharply divided along party lines.
- 78% of Republicans support Trump’s move to close the agency.
- 73% of Democrats oppose it.
- Among independents, opinion is split evenly: 48% approve, 48% disapprove.
Even broader views on the DOE’s effectiveness reflect deep divisions. While 62% of Democrats say the department has improved schools, 57% of Republicans believe it has made them worse. Among unaffiliated voters, only 33% believe the DOE has helped, while 44% say it has done more harm than good.
Trump Administration: $3 Trillion Spent With ‘Nothing to Show’
The Trump White House has been unsparing in its criticism of the DOE. In a statement accompanying the executive order, the administration highlighted that the department has spent over $3 trillion since its creation in 1979—with “virtually nothing to show for it.”
Key statistics from the Nation’s Report Card were cited:
- 60% of fourth graders and nearly 75% of eighth graders are not proficient in math.
- 70% of students in fourth and eighth grades lack reading proficiency.
- The U.S. ranks 28th out of 37 developed countries in math.
At the signing ceremony, Trump said, “We’re going to eliminate it, and everybody knows it’s right. And the Democrats know it’s right.” He added, “Hopefully [Linda McMahon] will be our last secretary of education.”
DOE Already Shrinking Under McMahon
Since taking over as Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon has aggressively cut down the department’s size and reach:
- Terminated over $1 billion in grants.
- Eliminated 2,300+ “woke” webpages and materials.
- Launched investigations into racial preference policies in public schools and universities.
- Cut the department’s workforce by half in an effort to streamline operations and reduce bureaucracy.
Trump joked before McMahon’s confirmation that he wanted her to “put herself out of a job.” She appears to be doing just that.
Congressional Action Underway
While the executive order jumpstarts the wind-down process, Congress must pass legislation to officially disband the department. Last week, Senate Republicans introduced a bill to do exactly that. The proposal is expected to face fierce resistance from Democrats, but the polling shows growing public support could pressure lawmakers to act.
In the meantime, the administration has already terminated DEI initiatives, scrapped wasteful spending, and begun redistributing authority to state education departments.
Closing a Carter-Era Legacy
The Department of Education was created in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, originally tasked with coordinating federal education efforts and supporting state systems. But Trump officials argue the department has strayed far from its mission, instead becoming an entrenched, ineffective bureaucracy that undermines local control.
A White House official said, “Our goal isn’t just to cut government for the sake of cutting—it’s to return power to where it belongs: the American people.”
If this polling trend holds, more Americans might soon agree that the time has come to shut the DOE down for good.
