OMB cuts Education budget as Senate delays McMahon confirmation

Trump signed an executive order to begin closing the Department of Education while proposing a 15% budget cut and meeting with Congressional leaders about transferring education control to states

Executive orders cannot actually close federal departments without congressional action, as the Department of Education continues operating under career official Denise Carter while awaiting Linda McMahon's Senate confirmation

The $16 billion Title I funding supporting low-income schools remains protected due to broad congressional support, but 18 grant programs totaling billions face consolidation into a $2 billion block grant

Federal education spending represents only 8% of school budgets but specifically targets vulnerable populations through special education mandates, English language learners, and rural connectivity programs

Specialized programs face approximately 60% cuts through mathematical reduction when folded into broad state grants without specific requirements or dedicated funding streams

ICE enforcement returns to schools after 13-year sensitive locations protection expires, with elimination of headquarters approval requirements for immigration arrests at educational facilities

Teachers face impossible choices between protecting students and avoiding federal obstruction charges while parents fear sending children to school where federal agents can operate freely