Faithful America, an online community of Christians, has launched a petition rebuking President Donald Trump’s efforts to dismantle the Department of Education (DOE). The petition warns that this move corrupts the Christian faith and has garnered over 11,100 signatures as of Thursday morning. The efforts to make cuts and changes at the DOE have drawn both criticism and praise from various groups, with conservatives, including many prominent Christians, supporting the move while progressive Christian groups opposing it.
President Trump issued an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin the process of “eliminating” the department, with the aim of returning educational control to the states. The order preserves certain essential programs, like Title I and Pell Grants, while cutting others. The DOE currently oversees federal education policy, enforces civil rights laws in schools, and distributes funding to educational institutions. Billionaire Elon Musk, a top Trump donor, has been tasked with making broader cuts across the federal government through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Various public figures have weighed in on Trump’s move to dismantle the DOE. Conservative leaders like Pastor Tony Perkins have praised the executive order, arguing that it will better serve families by allowing educational needs to be met at the state and local levels. On the other hand, Senator Bernie Sanders and other lawmakers have strongly criticized the move, citing concerns about income inequality, accessibility to education, and the quality of education for students. Evangelical leader Franklin Graham also expressed support for shutting down the DOE, echoing sentiments that the department has not been beneficial.
Efforts to cut and change the DOE, as well as other government agencies, are expected to continue despite criticism from Democrats and legal challenges. Trump and Musk maintain that these cuts are necessary to root out fraud and waste, while critics argue that vital programs and services are being targeted. It remains to be seen how these actions will play out in the courts and what impact they will have on the education system in the coming months. The divide among Christians and other groups over this issue further indicates the complex nature of the debate surrounding the future of education policy in the United States.
