Trump says U.S. Department of Education will preserve some programs, state lawmakers weigh in

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- President Donald Trump said certain programs falling under the purview of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) would be fully preserved following his issuance of an executive order beginning steps to dismantle the more than four-decade-standing department on Thursday, March 20.

Trump signs executive order to dismantle Department of Education

"Pell grants--[it's] supposed to be a very good program, Title One funding and resources for children with special disabilities and special needs--they're going to be preserved in full and redistributed to various other agencies and departments that will take very good care of them," said President Trump.

John McGuire, a former NAVY SEAL and Republican congressman representing Virginia's fifth congressional district, agrees with the President in taking the necessary steps to eliminate the DOE.

"Instead of focusing on woke ideologies, education should be about reading, writing and arithmetic and prepare people for life," McGuire said. "So, I think it makes a whole lot of sense that education goes back to the state and closer to the parents."

"After 45 years, the United States spends more money on education by far than any other county and spends far more money per pupil than any country--and it's not even close--but yet we rank near the bottom of the list," said Trump.

Democratic Delegate Delores McQuinn representing Virginia's 81st district told 8News the move would be devastating to the youth.

"Individuals who have special needs, a marginalized community, the black in and community and community of color, the rural communities, urban communities—these are places that in the past you've had, you know, significant disparities that we have have tried to close the gap on the gap is still not closed," McQuinn said. "I am concerned again, in terms of equity, in terms of making certain that every child, undeserved communities, particularly will get what they need, will get the resources to address the challenges that they have."

McGuire weighed in on the worries that underserved communities would be in jeopardy.

"It seems like there's an emphasis in politics--to impose your political will is fear," he said. "We're not perfect as a nation, but we're getting better, but here's the thing, we're getting bad results and we need to get better results for our children." And so, I respectfully disagree. I think that it's too early to make that decision. But I just think right now, if you look at what's going on, it's not going very well for a lot of people."

It's important to note that the President's executive order regarding the DOE does not fully abolish the department.

The department was enacted by congress back in 1979 therefore, eliminating it would require action from congress.

Virginia leaders react to Trump’s executive order to dismantle Department of Education

Click here for more on the thoughts on Virginia lawmakers' on this recent executive decision.