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Trump, Donald

Trump Administration's Education Reforms: A Decentralization Strategy

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The second presidency of Donald Trump has led to a significant overhaul of the United States' federal education policy, with a focus on decentralizing control and reducing federal involvement in education. Over the first six months of the administration, reforms were undertaken that affected the US Department of Education (USED), civil rights enforcement, university funding, Title IX and Title VI interpretations, and DEI initiatives across K-12 and higher education. This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the key takeaways and statistics from this period.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Trump administration issued multiple executive orders aimed at dismantling DEI efforts across federal agencies, including the repeal of Executive Order 11246, which established affirmative action programs.
  • Executive Order 14190 defined sex as male and female based on biological classification at birth, rescinding prior Title IX protections for gender identity and sexual orientation.
  • The administration froze over $2.2 billion in federal grants and $60 million in contracts to Harvard University, citing concerns over DEI and antisemitism.
  • The US Department of Education announced a workforce reduction of approximately 2,000 employees, impacting civil rights, special education, student aid, and research functions.
  • The Trump administration proposed the restructuring of USED responsibilities, including the transfer of student loans to the Department of the Treasury or the Small Business Administration (SBA).
  • Multiple legal actions have been filed against the Trump administration's education policies, leading to several notable court decisions, including a nationwide injunction blocking major provisions of the anti-DEI executive orders.
  • As of July 15, 2025, the US Department of Education remains operational, though significantly weakened, with core federal education programs such as Pell Grants, Title I, and IDEA remaining active.

Statistics:

  • $2.2 billion in federal grants frozen from Harvard University.
  • 2,000 employees reduced from the USE workforce.
  • $1.4 billion in job cuts enabled by a Supreme Court ruling.
  • $900 million in research grants cancelled.
  • $175 million in funding cut to the University of Pennsylvania.
  • $400 million in funding cut to Columbia University.
  • $790 million in funding cut to Northwestern University.
  • Over 20 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit to block USED layoffs.
  • A federal judge granted an injunction temporarily pausing further terminations and restructuring.
  • 1,400 employees terminated by the Supreme Court's order.

Sources:

  • Executive Order 14151 (January 29, 2025)
  • Executive Order on Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government (January 20, 2025)
  • "Dear Colleague" letter from USED's Office for Civil Rights (February 14, 2025)
  • USED's FAQ on the February letter's provisions (March 1, 2025)
  • The Institute of Education Sciences (IES) revocation of $900 million in research grants (March 11, 2025)
  • Senate passing H.R. 1968, a Continuing Resolution funding key education programs (March 14, 2025)
  • President Trump's Executive Order on Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities (March 20, 2025)
  • Over 20 state attorneys general filing a lawsuit to block USED layoffs (March 24, 2025)
  • Federal Judge Myong Joun's ruling upholding an injunction blocking USED layoffs (June 6, 2025)
  • US Supreme Court's shadow docket lifting the injunction on USED layoffs (July 14, 2025)

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