All4Ed Condemns Trump Administration’s Misleading “Cost-Savings” Move as Another Step Toward Dismantling U.S. Department of Education
Date: Friday, March 27, 2026
Contact: Enrique A. Chaurand
Email: echaurand@all4ed.org
Washington, D.C. – All4Ed CEO Dr. Amy Loyd issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that the U.S. Department of Education will vacate its headquarters building:
“The Trump administration’s latest move to relocate the U.S. Department of Education out of its headquarters is being framed as a cost-saving measure—but this is not about efficiency. This is part of a broader, ongoing effort to diminish and ultimately dismantle the federal role in education.
“Saving a relatively small amount of money, while disrupting the core operations of the Department responsible for protecting students’ rights and expanding opportunity, is a dangerous tradeoff. If the administration is serious about saving taxpayer dollars, it should end its costly and legally questionable interagency agreements that are shifting core responsibilities out of the Department.
The administration claims relocating its office will save $4.8 million, yet this is only a fraction of the likely costs associated with its 10 interagency agreements. Only one of the Department’s 10 interagency agreements discloses the cost of transferring responsibilities. That interagency agreement covers career, technical, and adult education programs that annually cost approximately $2 billion. The details of the agreement state that administrative costs will be more than $1 million. This represents just a fraction of the cost likely associated with other agreements, including those covering nearly $30 billion in K–12 programs and a $1.7 trillion student loan portfolio.
“If ED wants to save money, it should stop paying other agencies to do their job.
“The U.S. Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring that every child, regardless of zip code, income, or background, has access to a quality education. Undermining that mission puts students, families, and public schools at risk.
“Secretary McMahon and the administration are prioritizing optics over outcomes. At a time when students need more support—not less—this decision sends the wrong message to educators, parents, and communities across the country.
“We should be strengthening our public education system, not chipping away at the very institutions designed to uphold equity, accountability, and opportunity.
“All4Ed will continue to stand with students, educators, and families to ensure the federal government remains a strong and reliable partner in delivering on the promise of public education.”
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