U.S. President Donald Trump has announced his intention to close the Department of Education immediately, labeling it a \\"big con job.\\" 📉
\\"I'd like it to be closed immediately,\\" Trump told reporters from the White House Oval Office. \\"The Department of Education's a big con job.\\"
He criticized the department's rankings, stating, \\"So they ranked the top 40 countries in the world. We're ranked number 40th. But we're ranked No. 1 in one department – cost per pupil. So, we spend more per pupil than any other country in the world.\\" 📉💸
Trump has previously expressed his desire to return education responsibilities to the states and reduce the size of the federal government. During his first term, he proposed shutting down the department as part of his broader agenda. 🏛️
The Department of Education currently employs 4,245 people and spent $251 billion in the most recent year, according to Reuters. An immediate closure could disrupt tens of billions of dollars in aid to students from kindergarten through high schools, and tuition assistance for college students. 💰📚
Following his inauguration on January 20, Trump has been pushing for major federal government reforms, including reducing the workforce and allowing the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, access to key payment systems of multiple agencies. 🛠️
He has also attempted to shut down agencies such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), citing \\"tremendous fraud\\" and \\"unprecedented levels of corruption.\\" 🚫🔍
However, the closure of both USAID and the Department of Education requires approval from Congress. 🏛️🤝
