Arne Duncan, who served as Education Secretary under President Obama, dismissed President-elect Trump’s pledge to eliminate the Department of Education as unrealistic and insubstantial.
In an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper, Duncan described the promise as “empty,” suggesting it was never intended to be fulfilled. He questioned whether Trump’s supporters would hold him accountable for what he labeled a broken campaign promise.
Trump’s education policy faces scrutiny as Duncan highlights state funding realities
Trump has repeatedly advocated for shutting down the department, arguing that educational funding should be managed by individual states. However, Duncan pointed out that the majority of public education funding already comes from state and local governments, making Trump’s proposal illogical. He criticized the rhetoric as an attempt to politicize and exploit education for partisan purposes.
Although details on how the department’s closure might be implemented remain vague, some Republicans and contributors to Project 2025 have proposed transferring its responsibilities to other federal entities. For instance, the plan includes shifting the Office of Civil Rights to the Justice Department.
Duncan emphasized that tampering with education could provoke strong reactions from parents, noting that issues involving children often elicit heightened scrutiny and accountability. On Tuesday, Trump announced Linda McMahon as his nominee for Education Secretary, a surprising choice given her limited background in education policy.
Duncan expressed hope that McMahon would approach the role with genuine intentions to improve education rather than undermine public trust or dismantle the department. He stressed the importance of prioritizing student learning and maintaining integrity in public education systems.
