Trump Administration Transfers Education Department's Civil Rights and Special Education Oversight to Other Agencies

President Donald Trump's administration has announced the transfer of major Education Department functions to other federal agencies as part of its broader effort to reduce the department's scope. The Department of Justice will assume enforcement of civil rights in education, while the Department of Health and Human Services will oversee special education. These transfers were announced on Tuesday and represent the latest step in dismantling the Education Department, which Trump campaigned to eliminate during his 2024 presidential run.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, has brokered agreements with other federal agencies to handle much of the department's work. McMahon stated that the arrangements align federal responsibilities with agencies best positioned to support them. "The Trump Administration has been clear: as we scale back federal micromanagement when it hinders success, we are equally committed to bolstering the efficacy of federal oversight where it is essential," she said. While only Congress can formally close the department, Trump has previously stated he would "move education back to the states where it belongs."

The transferred offices manage substantial resources and oversight responsibilities. The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services administers billions of dollars in grants and ensures state compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The Office for Civil Rights investigates discrimination complaints in schools and universities. The Department of Justice will also assume responsibility for protecting student privacy and providing training and advisory support to schools. The Education Department will retain certain legally mandated duties, including responding to audits and issuing final determinations in civil rights cases.

Critics and advocacy groups have raised significant concerns about the reorganization. EdTrust, a Washington-based think tank focused on educational equity, warned that traditionally underserved students—including those with disabilities, Black and Latino students, multilingual learners, students from low-income backgrounds, and those in rural communities—will face the greatest burden from these changes. Senator Patty Murray, a Washington Democrat, contended that the agreements scatter education programs to agencies lacking relevant expertise and questioned the legality of the administration's effort to effectively shut down the department.

Rachel Gittleman, president of the union representing Education Department employees, and families of students with disabilities have also opposed the transfers, arguing they will create chaos for vulnerable students and families who depend on these services and protections. The moves represent the continuation of an administration strategy to reduce federal oversight of education; the Education Department has already offloaded programs through 10 earlier internal agreements.