How Trump’s Attacks on Public Schools Harm Us All

Donald Trump is not only attacking the federal Department of Education by attempting to shut it down, he is attacking the idea of public education in the United States itself. He claims that he wants to “give the states sole responsibility for educating our nation’s children,” but one look at Project 2025, his playbook, will reveal that that is not all he’s doing. At the same time, he’s trying to dictate what schools are able to teach, and withholding funds from schools that teach anything he doesn’t want them to. This reveals that his true aim is defunding public education.

This attack on public education harms Black and Brown students the most, as well as low-income students, LGBTQ+ students, and other marginalized students. Public education helps to even the playing field for students who are not as privileged as others, and dismantling it is a direct attack on these students and their ability to thrive. This is part of the larger Trump pushback against diversity, equity, and inclusion, an attempt to erase the diverse histories of the United States and even erase present day realities. This is all to further the aim of the for-profit education industry. Public education is one of our most important public goods, and we must protect it.

MSN

Trump's Plot Against America's Schools Sparks National Outrage

By Jay Blitzman | MSN | July 26th, 2025