November 18, 2025

Markey Decries Further Dismantling of Education Department, Slams Trump and McMahon for Continued Attacks on Public Education, Students, Educators, Families

Washington (November 18, 2025) - Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, released the following statement after the Trump administration announced its plan to further dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, closing six offices and moving critical functions to other agencies.

“Trump and McMahon’s ceaseless attack on public schools is illegal, immoral, and devastating to families in Massachusetts and in communities across the country. This administration is attempting to privatize education, locking the promise of opportunity in an ivory tower accessible only to those born into the right zip code and tax bracket.

“This latest step to further dismantle the Department of Education is yet another example of the Trump administration’s anti-student, anti-family, and anti-educator agenda. Trump and McMahon have also slashed or delayed hundreds of millions of dollars in public school funding—stealing from public schools to fund tax breaks for CEO billionaires. Now, they are gutting the offices and programs that schools and communities rely on—ripping resources away from schools and leaving communities scrambling to figure out how to keep the lights on.

“I previously demanded that Linda McMahon promise not to cut funding for public schools. She refused. With this latest announcement, Trump and McMahon are escalating their all-out war on the public school system. I will continue fighting against any attack on our public school system to ensure students everywhere get the education they need to succeed.”

Senator Markey is leading the fight against the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle public education in the United States.

On July 24, Senator Markey introduced the Pay Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Act, legislation that would create $25 billion in annual federal funding for schools that set a minimum wage for school staff of $45,000 per year, or $30 per hour.
On July 17, Senator Markey reintroduced the Preparing and Retaining All (PARA) Educators Act, legislation that would establish higher wages, career pipelines, and professional development opportunities for school paraeducators.
On April 4, Senator Markey, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, and the entire Massachusetts congressional delegation wrote to Secretary McMahon after the Department of Education notified the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that the Department would rescind $106 million in funding already disbursed to school districts across the state for K-12 education.
On April 3, Senator Markey and Representative Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights, a resolution calling for dignified wages, benefits, and working conditions for paraeducators, classroom assistants, bus drivers, custodial workers, and other essential school staff who far too often work for low wages, few benefits, and without job security.
On April 1, Senator Markey slammed the Trump administration after the Administration announced its decision to cut $106 million in K-12 education funding in Massachusetts, and more than $2 billion to K-12 schools nationwide.
On March 20, Senator Markey slammed Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education.
On March 11, Senator Markey delivered remarks on the Senate floor to spotlight Trump’s plan to gut the Department. On February 27, Senator Markey introduced the No Cuts to Public Schools Act, legislation that would prevent any cuts to federal education formula funding during the Trump administration.
On February 10, Senator Markey held a press conference in Boston with Massachusetts educators and teachers’ unions on Trump’s vow to dismantle the Department, and the impact on Massachusetts students, educators, and communities.
On February 6, Senator Markey, members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation, along with the Massachusetts Teachers Association, American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, Massachusetts Association of School Committees, and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents, released a joint statement after President Trump vowed to dismantle the Department of Education.

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