By D.M. Livingston|Published Nov 19, 2025

Waterbury, CT- Staying informed on national politics is more important than ever for residents of Waterbury. Claims circulating about President Donald Trump’s plans, including whether he intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, can sound alarming — but what’s actually possible under U.S. law? We break it down so Waterbury readers know the facts and can separate political rhetoric from reality.

Claim: President Donald Trump will dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

Verdict: ❌ False / Misleading

The Reality

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) is a Cabinet-level federal agency responsible for overseeing public education, administering federal student aid programs, and enforcing federal education laws. While a president can propose changes, no president has the unilateral authority to dissolve a federal department.

During his presidency Trump made statements about reducing federal oversight of schools and returning control to states, but eliminating the Department of Education entirely would require Congress. Simply saying he wants to “dismantle” it does not legally dissolve it.

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How a Federal Department Could Legally Be Dissolved

1. Legislation in Congress:
   • The president can propose a bill to eliminate or merge a department, but it must be passed by both the House and the Senate and signed into law.
2. Budgetary Control:
   • Congress could defund the department over time, but this is a gradual process and highly unlikely for a major Cabinet agency like the DOE.
3. Reorganization Plans:
   • A president can submit a Reorganization Plan to Congress (under the Reorganization Act), suggesting how departments might be merged or eliminated.
   • Congress must approve or disapprove; the president cannot act alone.

Bottom line: Even if Trump wanted to “dismantle” the Department of Education, he would need Congress to cooperate, which is politically and procedurally complex. There is no immediate path for a president to dissolve a Cabinet-level agency on their own.

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