Former President Donald Trump has strongly criticized the Department of Education, labeling it a "con job" due to the United States' low ranking in global education despite having the highest per-pupil expenditure. In an Oval Office discussion with reporters, Trump expressed his desire for the department's immediate closure, citing a report indicating the nation's 40th-place ranking internationally while simultaneously leading in per-pupil costs.

Trump highlighted a concerning trend, noting that the U.S. ranking had slipped from 38th just days prior. He contrasted this with China's top-five placement, emphasizing the significance of the disparity given China's status as a primary competitor. He questioned the effectiveness of the department's spending, particularly in light of these rankings.

Under Trump's directive, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), headed by Elon Musk, has been tasked with identifying and reducing wasteful spending within government agencies. The DOE was recently targeted, with DOGE announcing $881 million in cuts across 89 contracts. A significant portion of these cuts, $101 million, was allocated to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training programs. Musk criticized the use of taxpayer funds for such initiatives.

Trump has recently taken executive action on education, signing orders to defund K-12 schools teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) and to promote school choice. These actions come amidst growing parental concern and protests over the inclusion of CRT and other controversial topics in school curricula. During his campaign, Trump vowed to eliminate federal support for schools promoting CRT, transgender ideology, and other politically charged content.

The declining national test scores, as highlighted by the Nation's Report Card, have further fueled Trump's focus on education reform and spending cuts. Reports also suggest the Trump administration is considering a potential dismantling of the Department of Education, signifying a major shift in the federal approach to education policy.