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The Trump Administration's Education Policy Adjustments Continue to Fester: Controversy, Layoffs, and Research Dilemmas

Despite the Trump administration's executive order closing the U.S. Department of Education and drastically reducing university research funding, controversy continues. Some universities have been forced to lay off staff or suspend research projects due to reduced federal funding, and the shifting of the Department of Education's responsibilities has also raised concerns about protecting the rights of vulnerable groups. The following is an analysis of the core content and impact of the current policy adjustments:

1. Progress and Controversy in the Department of Education's Dismantling

✅ Executive Order Promotes "De-federalization"

In March 2025, Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to "take all necessary measures" to close the Department of Education and delegate authority to the states.

Nearly 50% layoffs: The Department of Education will reduce its staff from 4,133 to approximately 2,183, with 1,300 of these cuts occurring in March 2025 alone.

Transfer Plan:

Student loans may be transferred to the Small Business Administration (SBA) or the Treasury Department.

Special Education (IDEA) may be taken over by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

⚖️ Legal and Political Obstacles

Democratic Party opposition is strong: 21 Democratic state attorneys general filed a lawsuit, claiming the layoffs are "illegal and harmful to student rights."

Congressional Obstacles: Completely shutting down the Department of Education would require congressional legislation, and Republicans hold only 53 seats in the Senate, making it difficult to secure 60 votes.

2. Impact of Cuts in University Research Funding

📉 Federal research budgets have shrunk significantly.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has reduced funding by 50%, with engineering and computer science being the hardest hit.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has terminated over 700 studies addressing "sensitive topics" such as gender diversity and vaccine hesitancy.

The Department of Defense has canceled 91 social science research projects, including analysis of climate change and social trends.

🏛️ University Layoffs and Research Stagnation

Harvard University: Federal contract reviews have led to the suspension of tuberculosis and cancer research, prompting some scholars to leave the United States.

Johns Hopkins University: Due to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) halting $800 million in funding, it will lay off 2,000 employees.

The University of California system is implementing a hiring freeze to address dual federal and state funding cuts.

3. Long-term Impact: Educational Equity and Research Competitiveness

🔍 Risks to Educational Equity

Disadvantaged Groups Affected:

Title I funding, which low-income students rely on, may be delayed due to administrative disorganization.

The implementation of IEPs (Individualized Education Plans) for students with disabilities may face regulatory gaps.

Widely increasing interstate resource disparities: Wealthy states can raise funds on their own, while schools in impoverished areas may be further marginalized.

🌍 American Research Brain Drain

32% of American researchers are considering leaving the country, with Europe and Canada being their top choices.

The European Union has launched the "Select Europe Research" initiative, investing €500 million to attract American scholars.

4. Conclusion: Policy Gameplay and Future Directions

The core of the Trump administration's education reform is "small government + local autonomy," but implementation has been plagued by funding cuts, research setbacks, and legal challenges, leaving its future uncertain. In the short term:

The Ministry of Education may exist in name only, but its complete closure still requires congressional approval.

Universities will need to find alternative funding sources (such as private donations and state government support) to sustain research.

The global research landscape may be restructured, with China and the European Union potentially becoming new destinations for talent.69

This policy shift is not just an administrative reform; it represents a structural shock to the US education system, with long-term implications potentially far exceeding expectations.

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