Education secretary pushes to close Department of Education, shift duties to Labor

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon is advancing plans to close the Department of Education, aiming to prove to Congress that the agency's functions can be managed by other federal bodies, FOX 5 DC reported.

McMahon explained that the Department of Labor has taken over key responsibilities such as adult education, family literacy, and career and technical education programs under federal workforce laws. This transition began with career and technical education, followed by K–12 and higher education services.

While the Department of Labor manages operational tasks, the Department of Education still holds statutory responsibilities and oversight, with services increasingly shifting to states and grant recipients.

McMahon told Fox News Digital that she has asked Congress to allow her to "fire herself" by approving the closure of the Department of Education, emphasizing that the goal is to improve outcomes for students and fulfill President Trump's campaign promise to dismantle the agency.