MADISON WI – In response to President Trump’s reckless and destructive executive order dissolving the U.S. Department of Education, State Representative Christian Phelps (D-Eau Claire) released the following statement:
“The only thing predictable about the Trump/Musk administration is its relentless effort to dismantle the very resources our communities depend on. Today, it’s the Department of Education—one of the last remaining pillars ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has access to a quality education. This move isn’t about improving schools; it’s about gutting them.
“The Department of Education enforces nondiscrimination laws, supports students with disabilities, and funds public schools—but it also sustains rural education, keeps after-school programs running, and helps schools serving low-income families stay afloat. It ensures every child, no matter their zip code, can have the fantastic public education they deserve. Without it, who steps in? This administration’s answer is clear: they don’t care.”
Key Federal Education Programs at Risk in Wisconsin:
- Title I Assistance for Low-Income Schools – Directing federal dollars to districts that serve students with the highest need
- Career and Technical Education (CTE) Grants – CTE programs, partially funded through the U.S. Department of Education, prepares students for in-demand jobs in sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The Department’s dissolution puts these grants at risk, affecting workforce readiness in Wisconsin.
Rep. Phelps concluded: “For decades, these programs have supported kids and communities across Wisconsin. We cannot afford to let them vanish overnight. If the federal government won’t invest in our children, it’s even more urgent that we fight to make sure that our state steps up instead.”
