Human Rights First Condemns Executive Order Eliminating the Department of Education

Human Rights First unequivocally condemns the Trump administration’s executive order, “Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities,” eliminating the Department of Education. This action will drastically impact millions of students, educators, and communities across the United States, damage local and state economies, and roll back critical civil rights protections for our most vulnerable student populations. 

“This unprecedented attack on a core democratic institution is not only unconstitutional, it is an affront to our democratic values and our children’s future,” said Hanah Stiverson, Associate Director of Democracy Protection at Human Rights First. “Public education is a cornerstone of a thriving democracy, and the Department of Education is central to ensuring it remains as such. This should not be a partisan argument.”

This executive order, which calls on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to “take all necessary steps” to facilitate the closure of the department “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law,” is an extension of the grand-scale attack being levied against civil rights and public education writ large by this administration. President Trump’s attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, as well as educational material that teaches the complexities of race in America, are part of a larger authoritarian strategy to weaponize the federal government against democratic institutions like public education — a strategy that has roots in authoritarian and fascist movements throughout history. 

“Historically, fascist and authoritarian governments first attack civil and human rights and quickly move on to democratic institutions such as public education, free media, and elections. The goal is to take control not only of structures of power, but of structures of knowledge as well. An uninformed society is much easier to control,” said Stiverson.

To speak with Hanah Stiverson or other Human Rights First experts, please contact press@humanrightsfirst.org.