Tensions escalated on Capitol Hill Friday as House Democrats, led by Rep. Mark Takano (D-CA) and members of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, were denied entry to the Department of Education during a visit to investigate reports that the Trump administration plans to dismantle the agency without consulting Congress.
The incident, which unfolded in front of the department’s headquarters, highlighted growing concerns over transparency and the future of federal education policy.
The visit comes amid speculation that the Trump administration is considering significant changes to the Department of Education, including its potential elimination. Former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos recently penned an op-ed advocating for the department’s dissolution, arguing that education policy should be handled at the state and local levels.
The confrontation began when Democratic lawmakers arrived at the Department of Education building, only to be blocked by private security contractors. Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-FL) and other members of Congress engaged in a tense exchange with the guards, demanding access to the public building.
“We are members of Congress with oversight responsibilities. We are not dangerous people. We are here to advocate for America’s children,” one lawmaker said, addressing the security personnel. “This is not Russia. We are not thugs or thieves. We are teachers, parents, and representatives of the people.”
Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) echoed Frost’s sentiments, criticizing the lack of transparency. “Parents in the United States, if you want to advocate on behalf of your children, you are not allowed to come into this building where you pay taxes,” Waters said. “Children with disabilities, young women who have been victims of sexual assault—we are not allowed to advocate for them. America, we have a problem.”
The lawmakers emphasized that the Department of Education is funded by taxpayer dollars and should be accessible to elected officials tasked with overseeing its operations.
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The incident underscores broader debates about the role of the federal government in education. Conservatives have long argued that states and local school districts are better equipped to address the needs of students and parents. “Conservatives believe education should be as local as possible,” said one analyst during the confrontation. “This is about accountability and returning power to the people.”
However, Democrats warn that dismantling the Department of Education could jeopardize federal funding for public schools, programs for students with disabilities, and initiatives to address sexual assault on school campuses.
The controversy also comes on the heels of the latest National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report, which revealed alarming declines in reading and math proficiency among fourth and eighth graders. Seven out of 10 fourth graders are not proficient readers, and less than a third of eighth graders possess the necessary skills to succeed in high school.
“What have they done lately?” one critic asked, referencing the NAEP results. “The Department of Education has been failing our nation’s children for decades.”
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The Trump administration has yet to provide a clear plan for the future of the Department of Education. Linda McMahon, the nominee for Secretary of Education, is scheduled to face a confirmation hearing next Thursday, February 13. Her stance on the department’s role and potential restructuring will likely be a focal point of the hearing.
In the meantime, House Democrats are vowing to continue their efforts to hold the administration accountable.
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