President-elect Donald Trump is moving swiftly to solidify his agenda for his second term, with a bold promise to eliminate the Department of Education taking center stage. The controversial plan has the potential to dramatically reshape the landscape of American education. With proposals that include slashing diversity programs, cutting federal funding tied to research, and dismantling federal Pell Grants—critical for many UMaine students—Trump’s agenda could profoundly reshape the University.
Colleges and universities appear to have been frequent targets of Trump’s rhetoric throughout the last election cycle. His promise to dismantle the Department of Education aligns with a generally long-standing Republican goal to divert educational authority to individual states and eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.
According to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Trump has vowed to impose hefty fines—equivalent to the entire endowment—on institutions that refuse to eliminate DEI-affiliated programs. He also threatened to withhold federal funding from schools that promote what he referred to as “woke progressive ideals,” which include topics ranging from climate change to gender identity, as per a recent PBS News article.
At a recent UMS Board of Trustees meeting, a history Ph.D. student and former high school social studies teacher, Derek DeMello, voiced strong opposition to these plans.
“Mr. Trump has promised to cut climate regulations, eliminate the Department of Education, and, according to his own website, carry out the largest deportation in American history to make our colleges ‘safe and patriotic again’,” said DeMello.
DeMello also noted what actions UMS leadership can take to support rebuttal efforts to upcoming changes.
“These hateful and anti-intellectual pledges pose a clear and present threat to our students, teachers and administrators, as well as the University of Maine System itself,” said DeMello.
“This is a time where leadership needs to act nimbly to protect our planet, our education and the freedom of speech on our campuses from students to trustees.”
Professor Emeritus of Political Science at UMaine Amy Fried, also emphasized uncertainty surrounding the potential consequences of eliminating the Department of Education. She explained that if Trump were to fulfill his campaign promise of dismantling the department entirely, the ripple effects could be far reaching.
“If all of its programs were dismantled, there would be no Pell Grants. A lot of UMaine students receive those, and that would harm affordability,” said Fried.
She also highlighted the potential fallout for research at public universities like UMaine.
“Some professors receive grant funding from the Department of Education through competitive processes. If the department didn’t exist, they wouldn’t be able to do their research. That would reduce funding for graduate students and undergraduates they hire to help with research, and it would reduce funding that goes to the university to pay overhead costs,” said Fried.
Fried further detailed the consequences for students pursuing teaching careers, noting that the Department of Education plays a critical role in funding special education and supporting K-12 schools with many low-income students.
“If those funds disappear, schools would struggle to operate unless localities and states could make up the funding—which would be hard. Schools would have fewer teachers, larger class sizes, and fewer resources, making it harder for new teachers to find jobs or thrive in their roles,” said Fried.
As Trump prepares to take office on Jan. 21, 2025, the debate over the future of the Department of Education is likely to intensify. Supporters argue that dismantling the department would empower states and communities to regain control of education policy. Critics, however, warn that the proposal could destabilize schools, harm vulnerable populations and erode essential funding for students and educators.
Whether Trump’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education becomes a reality or not, its implications extend far beyond political rhetoric. The proposal raises fundamental questions about equity, access and the role of education in a democracy.
