Republicans attack public schools. Trump is no exception

We must recognize the danger of education falling victim to political rhetoric. We must continue to fight for equal access to education, not use it as a weapon.

Former President Donald Trump is weaponizing public education in his campaign for the White House and continues to fight against it DI programs and even threaten close the Department of Education.

He is not alone.

The Republican Party has consistently attacked public schools and teachers unions, promoting vouchers and other initiatives that drain classroom resources. Idea closure of the Department of Education has been the GOP rallying cry for decades.

I recently watched it interview with Trump on “Fox & Friends” during which he claimed: “We will take away the Department of Education, we will close it, I will close it.”

Trump’s pledge reflects a broader agenda like the one described in Project of the Heritage Foundation 2025aimed at reducing federal oversight of education and limiting government spending on essential services.

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Republicans have long criticized the Education Department

The The Faculty of Education was established in 1979 during President Jimmy Carter’s administration to improve access to education and increase federal funding for schools.

Republicans criticized its creation, claiming that it constituted an overreach of the role of the federal government and an increase in bureaucracy.

While efforts to disband the department have failed, the idea of eliminating it perpetuates the GOP’s small-government rhetoric during the election season.

Republicans argue that a federal presence in education stifles creativity, inflates spending and undermines local governance.

Federal oversight helps ensure equity in education

But the federal government provides financing for education this includes student loans, special education grants and Title I dollars for schools serving low-income students.

Closing the department could potentially deprive the federal government of billions of dollars that school districts rely on.

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Since its inception, the department has enforced civil rights in education, ensuring that students with disabilities, minorities, and other marginalized groups receive equal treatment and opportunities.

Eliminating this oversight would remove federal protections for these groups and lead to greater disparities in our nation’s public schools.

As Americans, we must recognize the danger when education becomes a victim of political rhetoric. We must continue to fight for equal access to education, not use it as a weapon.

Marla Bautista is a military columnist for USA TODAY Opinion..