Billionaires are helping GOP kill Department of Education and privatize schools

Calls by Donald Trump, the RNC and Project 2025 to “return education to the states” or expand private school vouchers could hurt queer, rural, disabled, and BIPOC youth, according to a study released by Sen. Bernie Sanders.

By Nadra Nittle, The 19th

In the fall, the Department of Education will mark 45 years since its inception, but that anniversary could be its last if Donald Trump gets his way. The federal agency is one of several he’s vowed to slash if reelected president.

“We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, D.C.,” he said in a campaign video last year. “We’re going to close it up—all those buildings all over the place and people that in many cases hate our children. We’re going to send it all back to the states.”

On Monday, the Republican National Committee approved a draft party platform ahead of its convention next week that supports Trump’s call to “return education to the states.” Among other aims, the platform pushes for increasing parents’ rights, championing school prayer, and withholding federal funding to schools that engage in “gender indoctrination” or promote “critical race theory,” mirroring Trump’s proposed education policy.