Video: Trump pledges to ‘shut down’ U.S. Education Department if reelected

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If reelected, former President Donald Trump pledged to “shut down” the U.S. Department of Education and return full control of public schooling to “the states” in a speech Saturday at Temple University.

“I will shut down the federal Department of Education and we will move everything back to the states, where it belongs, and where they can individualize education, and do it with the love for their children,” Trump said, prompting a hearty round of cheers, applause, and chants of “USA, USA, USA.”

He expounded on how such a move would improve public education, the Washington Examiner reported:

“We’ll be able to cut [spending on] education in half and get much better education in some of the states,” Trump said. “We’ll have the best education anywhere in the world.”

However, he continued, “Some won’t do as well. There are a couple of states like, I would say, Gavin Newsom [and California] will not do well.”

Trump noted that the United States spends more “per pupil” than any other country, yet “we’re at the bottom of every list.” He asked, “What the hell do you have to lose?”

Saturday’s remarks were not the first time Trump has made such a promise uring his reelection campaign. In September 2023, he said in a campaign video:

“We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, DC. 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.”

Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary under Trump, in 2022 also said the department should be abolished.

“I personally think the Department of Education should not exist,” DeVos said at the “Moms For Liberty” summit, prompting a standing ovation, the Florida Phoenix reported.

Source: https://www.thecollegefix.com/trump-pledges-to-shut-down-u-s-education-department-if-reelected/