McMahon: Dismantling Education Department ‘not a turn off the lights and walk out’

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said Friday that Trump administration plans to dismantle her department will not simply be a case of walking away and abandoning it.

“This is not a turn off the lights and walk out of the department,” McMahon said on NewsNation. “It’s in close consultation with Congress and looking at how the needs of students can best be serviced.”

The comment comes after McMahon confirmed on “Fox & Friends” earlier Friday that President Trump “intends to sign” an executive order aimed at dismantling the federal agency. Such an order could come as soon as Friday.

It is unclear what the next actions of the department will be, as to completely abolish the agency would require an act of Congress, which is unlikely to happen due to the 60-vote threshold needed in the Senate.  

But there are certain programs and grants not mandated by law the department could target.

McMahon told NewsNation that as her department is looking to close down, it still wants to provide states with resources and research for best practices in the classroom.

“Well, we’re looking at them all across the board, and how can they be best handled if the Department of Education does not exist. Some of that funding comes by appropriations from Congress, so that’s in statute, and that money will continue to flow into the states,” she said.  

“Pell grants, student loans might best be served in another department, and we’re looking at where that can best be handled,” she added.  

Trump has recently suggested that student loans could be moved to the Treasury Department or Small Business Administration.  

But while the department considers these changes, McMahon told staffers in a memo announcing their “final mission” that the plans “will profoundly impact staff, budgets, and agency operations here at the Department.”