Gov. Jeff Landry Reacts to Trump's Executive Order to Close the US Department of Education

Executive Order to Close Department of Education

• 🏛️ President Trump announced an executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education, directing the Secretary to dismantle the department.
• 🔑 The goal is to return authority to the states for education decisions.

Rationale for State-Level Control

• 💰 The primary aim is to send federal education funding directly to states without federal "strings attached."
• 🎯 This allows states to utilize funds in the best way they see fit, focusing on parents and students as the most important voices.
• 📉 The current system is criticized, with estimates suggesting only 50-70 cents of every federal dollar ends up in states, while the rest is lost in the bureaucracy.

Reassurance to Parents and Stakeholders

• ✅ Governor Landry expressed confidence in President Trump's commitment to keeping promises.
• 🤝 The success of ensuring funds reach parents relies on Congress granting the necessary flexibility.

Bipartisan Cooperation and State Competition

• 🤝 Governor Landry noted the unique situation of a Republican president empowering Democratic governors, citing a conversation with Hawaii's Governor Josh Green.
• 💡 The initiative is seen as a call to the American people, transcending party lines, and fostering a system where 50 states act as laboratories of experimentation.
• 📈 The belief is that this competition will lead to better educational outcomes for children, addressing the current perceived failures in the U.S. education system compared to other countries.