News Archive

March 2025

3/3/25 - ED is part of "comprehensive review" (alongside HHS and GSA) threatening funding to Columbia University over alleged antisemitism related to Gaza protests.

Alleges "woke cancel culture" has led to rise in antisemitism on college campuses, and singles out Columbia. Threatens over $50 million in federal contracts.

3/3/25 - Linda McMahon confirmed as Secretary of Education

McMahon plans to oversee dismantling of ED and her confirmation is likely the start of a quick process to do that along P2025's timeline. She is deeply unqualified for this position and has a history of allegations of covering up CSA within wrestling. Read her speech here.

3/3/25 - ED OCR releases FAQ which appears to walk back some of the February 14 "Dear Colleague" letter forbidding race or DEI to be used in policy

Brings guidance in line with established legal views on discrimination instead of vague, threatening wording used in Feb 14 memo. Clarifies that DEI is not automatically illegal. Likely a response to pushback.

February 2025

2/28/25 - ED offers buyout to most of its employees of up to $25k before "very significant" Reduction in Force

Result of memo from OMB/OPM (DOGE, essentially, acting illegally) asking every agency to submit "RIF and reorganization plans" by March 13. Payout is reportedly less than vacation and benefits would be worth.

2/27/25 - ED launches a public portal at "EndDEI.Ed.Gov" for the public to submit "reports of discrimination based on race or sex in publicly-funded k-12 schools”

Press-release quotes a co-founder of "Moms for Liberty", a right-wing organization which aggressively targets schools and school boards to promote right-wing ideology. Encouraging the public to surveil and report on each other is a key component of fascism.

2/25/25 - Teachers union sues Trump administration over Feb 14th "Dear Colleague" letter saying it violates First and Fifth Amendments

Lawsuit says forcing schools to teach only government approved views around racial discrimination is a violation of free speech, and that it is too vague to understand how to comply

2/24/25 - Federal judge blocks DOGE from accessing private ED data

Temporary injunction blocking DOGE from accessing federal loan systems by Judge Deborah L. Boardman on basis of federal privacy law

2/21/25 - ED takes down student loan forgiveness and repayment applications

Affects Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) Plan and other income-driven repayment (IDR) plans

2/20/25 - Removed a requirement set under Biden for US Secretary of Education to review how states approve authorization of charter school

Remove oversight for charter school creation, will lead to more charter schools of dubious quality

2/19/25 - Cancelled 18 grants worth $226 million awarded under Comprehensive Centers Program

Funding was for programs focused on diversity, equity and inclusion and were specifically targeted by conservative activists. Comprehensive centers include a national and regional centers and help state education depts/districts improve education.