On Thursday, President Donald Trump made a significant move towards fulfilling a long-standing political promise, taking initial steps to dissolve the Department of Education. The display was as orchestrated as it was symbolic, with Texas officials standing steadfast beside him. In an executive order signed in the White House's East Room, Trump specifically called out Texas, a state whose educational system ranks 29th in the nation, according to a 2024 report by U.S. News & World Report.

As cited by USA Today, Trump claimed the move would empower states to quickly start to do a phenomenal job in education. Yet, critics will instantly note, that the federal government has never had the authority to set academic curriculums – a power that rests and has always rested with the states and local districts. The full impact of this executive order remains murky; only Congress possesses the power to truly dismantle a federal department.

In a show of support, Texas leaders, including Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton, attended the ceremony. They each took to social media to broadcast their approval. Senator John Cornyn also voiced enthusiasm for the decision in an interview with CBS Austin, suggesting the step would alleviate the imposition of what he described as "woke" curricular requirements on local districts.

However, the resonance of this moment has its detractors. U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett underscored his concern for the move's potential effects on public education. "Our public schools are vital for both individual opportunity and our continued economic progress," Doggett stated in a release garnered by CBS Austin. As the Department may be on the decline, key responsibilities such as overseeing student loans, Pell Grants, and other essential functions are set to persist under its umbrella.

Historically, Texas has played a key role in shaping national education policy and indeed, in Trump's political narrative. As USA Today highlights, Trump carried Texas by comfortable margins in his presidential campaigns, with the state's top leaders often backing him assertively. This move toward decentralizing educational oversight could well be seen as a continuance of that alliance, as well as an exemplification of the administration's broader policy ethos.