As a longtime advocate for public education, I know that the Department of Education’s programs and services are important for students, families, educators, and the economy. Unlike Donald Trump and Elon Musk, I’ve spent thousands of hours in public schools. More that 90% of students in the country attend public schools, and investing in youth is part of how we build a better future.
Donald Trump’s attempt to dismantle the Department of Education is straight out of the Project 2025 playbook. His argument that he wants to return authority to the states is dishonest; states and local school boards already have authority - they decide curriculum, set teacher standards and class sizes, and more.
Eliminating the Department of Education puts at risk federal support and will result in massive gaps of opportunity for millions of students across the country, especially students from low-income families and students with disabilities.
Cuts at the Department of Education will shift the additional financial burden to state and local governments and will result in increased taxes, larger class sizes, loss of programming, worse outcomes, and more. Because the federal government funds grants and loans for students who want to attend college but can’t afford it, those doors of opportunity will close too. And the Department of Education enforces the civil rights of every student in public school to be free from discrimination.
The day before Trump’s executive order, I walked in Beaverton with students, educators, and community members in defense of public education. As one sign read, “public education is an American right.” And it’s not a right that Donald Trump can take away by executive order—which he should know.
I will do all I can to oppose this extreme abuse of power and will continue to advocate for students, families, educators, and the economic benefits that come from an educated country.

My Next Town Hall Meeting
On Monday, March 31 at 6pm I’m holding a telephone town hall meeting with Democracy Forward, a legal organization fighting the Trump administration’s executive orders and actions in the courts. For more information and to RSVP, visit my website here. |