Scott Detrow

Unwinding the department in the name of efficiency has already begun. Elon Musk's Doge team eviscerated the department's research division and has been allowed access by a judge to internal department systems. The department cut $600 million in funding for teacher training on what the administration framed as inappropriate and unnecessary topics, including critical race theory.

The administration has given schools and universities until February 28th to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal money. And many newer department staffers have received termination letters while dozens of department staff were placed on administrative lead with little explanation. But it would take an act of Congress to fully eliminate the department. Consider this.

The administration has given schools and universities until February 28th to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal money. And many newer department staffers have received termination letters while dozens of department staff were placed on administrative lead with little explanation. But it would take an act of Congress to fully eliminate the department. Consider this.

The administration has given schools and universities until February 28th to eliminate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal money. And many newer department staffers have received termination letters while dozens of department staff were placed on administrative lead with little explanation. But it would take an act of Congress to fully eliminate the department. Consider this.

The Trump administration wants the Department of Education gone, but can they get rid of it? And if they do, how much money would actually be saved and which programs could be lost in the process? From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow. It's Consider This from NPR. Quote, the Department of Education is a big con job.

The Trump administration wants the Department of Education gone, but can they get rid of it? And if they do, how much money would actually be saved and which programs could be lost in the process? From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow. It's Consider This from NPR. Quote, the Department of Education is a big con job.

The Trump administration wants the Department of Education gone, but can they get rid of it? And if they do, how much money would actually be saved and which programs could be lost in the process? From NPR, I'm Scott Detrow. It's Consider This from NPR. Quote, the Department of Education is a big con job.

That is just one of the things President Trump has said about one of the most high profile departments in the federal government. Trump says he wants to save money and kill policies he doesn't like. Trump and Elon Musk's doge have already started cutting funding, so what does this mean for education in the United States? It's one of the questions we will put to two former education secretaries.

That is just one of the things President Trump has said about one of the most high profile departments in the federal government. Trump says he wants to save money and kill policies he doesn't like. Trump and Elon Musk's doge have already started cutting funding, so what does this mean for education in the United States? It's one of the questions we will put to two former education secretaries.

That is just one of the things President Trump has said about one of the most high profile departments in the federal government. Trump says he wants to save money and kill policies he doesn't like. Trump and Elon Musk's doge have already started cutting funding, so what does this mean for education in the United States? It's one of the questions we will put to two former education secretaries.

John King ran the department during Barack Obama's second term, and Margaret Spellings was education secretary in the George W. Bush administration. They both joined me now to talk about what all of this could mean. Welcome to the show.

John King ran the department during Barack Obama's second term, and Margaret Spellings was education secretary in the George W. Bush administration. They both joined me now to talk about what all of this could mean. Welcome to the show.

John King ran the department during Barack Obama's second term, and Margaret Spellings was education secretary in the George W. Bush administration. They both joined me now to talk about what all of this could mean. Welcome to the show.

Let me start here. I would love each of you to tell me what you think the most important role the Department of Education plays. Margaret, I'll start with you.

Let me start here. I would love each of you to tell me what you think the most important role the Department of Education plays. Margaret, I'll start with you.

Let me start here. I would love each of you to tell me what you think the most important role the Department of Education plays. Margaret, I'll start with you.

You know, there's a lot we don't know yet. But the thing that the Trump people are talking about is they want to keep a lot of that critical funding, but perhaps get rid of the department itself or massively cut down the department or shift these funding programs to some other department. I'm curious, and John, I'll start with you.

You know, there's a lot we don't know yet. But the thing that the Trump people are talking about is they want to keep a lot of that critical funding, but perhaps get rid of the department itself or massively cut down the department or shift these funding programs to some other department. I'm curious, and John, I'll start with you.

You know, there's a lot we don't know yet. But the thing that the Trump people are talking about is they want to keep a lot of that critical funding, but perhaps get rid of the department itself or massively cut down the department or shift these funding programs to some other department. I'm curious, and John, I'll start with you.

How would that change thing if, again, the bulk of this money remains, but? the apparatus administering it is gone. How much does that worry you?