Alabama U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville on Monday called for the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to be shut down in a post to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tuberville’s post reads “SHUT IT DOWN! #MAGA” in response to a meme posted by X owner Elon Musk mocking former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who created the department in 1979.
“Not a great value for money!” reads Musk’s original post.
Educators nationwide have expressed concerns about the department’s future after Donald Trump, who was elected the 47th president of the United States last week, vowed to eliminate it throughout his campaign.
“We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, DC.,” he said in a campaign video last year.
“We’re going to close it up – all those buildings all over the place and people that in many cases hate our children. We’re going to send it all back to the states.”
Although Trump has previously denounced the plan, eliminating the DOE is included in Project 2025, a 900-page document detailing proposed policies for the return of the Trump administration spearheaded by the right-wing think tank the Heritage Foundation.
The plan also involves 100 conservative groups including the Alabama Policy Institute.
Stories by Heather Gann
Kamala Harris’ campaign plane getting a paint job at Alabama airport after election loss
Legendary Cold War ocean liner starts voyage to Alabama to become world’s largest artificial reef
Alabama man charged with homicide in Florida DUI crash that killed 14-year-old boy
Alabama lawmaker moves to establish early voting centers: How would they work?
Currently, the DOE establishes policy for, administers, and coordinates most federal assistance to education, according to its website.
“The Department’s mission is to serve America’s students-to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access,” the site reads.
Those opposed to the shutdown say that without the DOE, schools cannot be held to a uniform standard and students may face unfair treatment.
Attempts by the Republican party to shut down the agency go back to the Reagan administration in 1981.
But because the move requires approval from Congress, previous efforts have been unsuccessful, according to Education Weekly.