The Attack on the U.S. Department of Education: A Government in Crisis
The Dismantling of the Department of Education: A Brazen Power Play
The U.S. Department of Education is under siege. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), the top Democrat on a House oversight subcommittee focused on Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has raised the alarm that Musk and his team are actively dismantling the agency. DOGE staffers, operating under the guise of cost-cutting and efficiency, have reportedly taken over the Education Department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. According to Stansbury, they are canceling grants, shutting down programs, and poring over federal contracts. “They’re literally dismantling and shutting down programs as we speak,” she warned. This unprecedented move has left federal grant recipients scrambling as their contracts were abruptly terminated, leaving many organizations unable to draw down funds for already-incurred expenses—a clear violation of the Impoundment Control Act.
A Legal and Constitutional Crisis in the Making
The actions of Musk’s DOGE team are not only brazen but also illegal. By unilaterally canceling contracts and halting federal programs, Musk and his surrogates are directly defying Congress’s funding decisions, which violates the Impoundment Control Act. This law explicitly prevents the president and other government officials from substituting their own funding decisions for those of Congress. Despite the illegality of their actions, Musk’s team appears undeterred. As one grant recipient fumed, “It’s infuriating! It sure looks like Elon Musk is breaking a lot of laws.” The situation has left many wondering how to fight back, as the Trump administration seems determined to dismantle entire federal agencies without regard for the law or constitutional processes.
Tribal Education Programs: A Devastating Casualty
One of the most alarming aspects of this assault on the Department of Education is its potential impact on tribal education programs. Stansbury has expressed grave concerns that the Trump administration is preparing to dismantle programs funded by the Education Department, including those serving Native American communities. The Bureau of Indian Education (BIE), which oversees federal education programs for roughly 46,000 Native American students at 183 schools across the country, appears to be in the crosshairs. Trump’s executive order on education has raised red flags, as it echoes the so-called termination era of the 1950s, when the U.S. government sought to dismantle tribal sovereignty and end federal programs for Native American communities. Stansbury has warned that any unilateral attempts to disrupt these programs would violate trust and treaty obligations, as well as statutory and appropriations laws.
A Larger Pattern of Reckless Governance
The attack on the Department of Education is part of a broader pattern of reckless governance by the Trump administration. DOGE, an entity created by Trump to cut costs and root out fraud, has been operating in secrecy, raising concerns about its legality and transparency. Musk’s team has already targeted the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), declaring its work wasteful without input from Congress. Now, the Department of Education appears to be next. Trump himself has endorsed Musk’s actions, suggesting it’s fine with him if Musk wants to eliminate the department altogether. As Stansbury put it, “It’s not legal. They know it’s not legal. But they’re doing it anyway.”
The Role of Congress: A Fight for Accountability
Rep. Melanie Stansbury has vowed to fight back against these illegal actions. “The only recourse we have right now is to go to the courts,” she said. “We will absolutely be in the courts immediately as they’re dismantling the Department of Education.” Stansbury has also written to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to express her concerns about the impact on tribal education programs. She urged him to preserve the Bureau of Indian Education and warned that any disruption to these programs would violate federal trust and treaty obligations. Meanwhile, Democratic senators have already begun questioning Trump’s nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, about her stance on the department’s dissolution.
The Future of the Department of Education: Uncertainty and Anxiety
The fate of the Department of Education hangs in the balance as the Trump administration and Elon Musk continue their relentless attack on federal agencies. If successful, this effort could have far-reaching consequences for students, educators, and communities across the country. For Native American tribes, the stakes are particularly high, as the dismantling of tribal education programs would represent a betrayal of trust and a return to the dark days of the termination era. As the legal and political battles unfold, one thing is clear: the future of the Department of Education—and the millions of students it serves—depends on whether Congress and the courts can hold the Trump administration accountable for its reckless and illegal actions.
In conclusion, the attack on the Department of Education is a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of upholding the rule of law. The Biden administration must act swiftly to protect the department, its programs, and the students who rely on them. The fight for the Department of Education is not just a battle over bureaucracy—it’s a fight for the future of American education.
