#TalkRadio – March 25: Trump & DOGE vs US Department of Education: The People’s Fight & The 10th Anniversary of Her Dream Deferred

SPEAKERS:

Chancellor John B. King, Jr.: 12:10 PM – 12:30 PM ET (Welcome to stay for the whole show until 12:58 PM)
John B. King Jr. is the 15th Chancellor of the State University of New York, the largest comprehensive system of public higher education in the United States. In his two years as Chancellor, SUNY has seen two consecutive years of increased enrollment across every sector, its largest operating aid increase in five decades, including double-digit percentage increases for every state-operated campus, the first operating aid increase for community colleges in nearly a decade, and dedicated recurring annual funding for expanding mental health services, services for students with disabilities, paid internships, and research, as well as addressing food insecurity. Prior to his appointment as Chancellor, King served as president of The Education Trust and as the 10th United States Secretary of Education under President Barack Obama, and as New York’s first Black and Hispanic state education commissioner.

Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Esq.: 12:20 PM – 12:40 PM ET
Co-founder and Executive Director of the African American Policy Forum; Founder and Executive Director of the Center for Intersectionality and Social Policy Studies at Columbia Law School; Isidor and Seville Sulzbacher Professor at Columbia Law School and the Promise Institute Professor at UCLA Law School; A leading authority on civil rights, Black feminist legal theory, and race, racism and the law, popularly known for her development of “intersectionality”,  “Critical Race Theory” and the #SayHerName campaign; Personal Twitter: @sandylocks; Organization Twitter: @AAPolicyForum

INTRODUCTION:

Hi Igniters For Change! The Igniting Change Radio Show on Tuesday, March 25th, 2025, from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM Eastern Time, entitled “Trump & DOGE vs US Department of Education: The People’s Fight & The 10th Anniversary of Her Dream Deferred”, with Radio Show Co-Hosts and Transformative Justice Coalition (TJC) Co-Leaders Attorneys Barbara Arnwine, Esq. and Daryl Jones, Esq. will feature special guests Chancellor John B. King, Jr. and Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Esq. This show continues Igniting Change’s focus on the Trump Administration’s destructive policies and actions and our special features on Women History Month. This show will discuss President Trump’s Executive Order attempting to dismantle the Department of Education as well as the African-American Policy Forum’s “Her Dream Deferred” Programming.

Since our last show, many major political events have happened that have serious consequences for our democracy. President Trump has continued to issue more questionable and unconstitutional Executive Orders. DOGE has continued to wreak havoc with federal governmental agencies. 

The Trump Administration imposes threats to judicial independence, the rule of law, and law firms, prompting the National Bar Association to denounce the White House policy targeting legal professionals in a statement. “The National Bar Association (NBA) firmly opposes and condemns the recent memorandum issued by the White House to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. The directive calls on the Department of Justice to impose sanctions on attorneys and law firms representing clients in litigation against the federal government that the Trump administration considers ‘unreasonable’ or ‘frivolous.’  This action poses a serious threat to the independence of the legal profession and directly challenges the constitutional right to legal representation. It undermines the foundation of the American legal system and endangers the rule of law.” Read the full statement here: https://mailchi.mp/nationalbar/rsvptodayupcomingevents-13385916?e=cf0cc92ecf This show will open with Attorney Arnwine and Jones’ statements on this matter.

An Executive Order (EO) signed by President Donald Trump on March 20, 2025 aims to dismantle the Department of Education. This EO was issued following the assumption of duties by newly confirmed Secretary of Education, Linda MacMahon on March 3, 2025.  The EO is part of a broader effort to reduce federal oversight and increase state control over education systems. The EO aligns with Project 2025, a roadmap developed by the Heritage Foundation and other conservative organizations, which calls for downsizing the federal government and fundamentally changing its operations. During his campaign, Trump promised to dismantle the Department of Education, emphasizing the need for more localized control over education policies.

Linda McMahon was confirmed as the Secretary of Education on February 13, 2025. Following her confirmation, McMahon announced a significant reduction in the Department of Education’s staff, cutting nearly 50% of its workforce. This reduction involved eliminating over 1,300 positions, with around 600 employees opting for voluntary buyouts. The downsizing is allegedly part of a broader effort to increase efficiency and accountability within the department as they claim this ensures that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers. The affected employees were placed on administrative leave starting March 21, 2025, with full pay and benefits until June 9, 2025. The National Education Association expressed concerns that these cuts would negatively impact education quality, particularly for vulnerable students.

During her confirmation hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, McMahon outlined her plans to dismantle the Department of Education, in line with President Trump’s agenda. McMahon faced significant scrutiny during her confirmation hearing. One of the key points of concern was her apparent lack of knowledge about Title I, a federal program that provides financial assistance to schools with high numbers or high percentages of children from low-income families. During the hearing, McMahon was questioned about her understanding of Title I and other critical education programs. Her responses indicated a lack of familiarity with these programs, which raised alarms among senators and education advocates. Even so, despite this apparent ignorance, she emphasized the need to reorient the department while preserving core initiatives such as Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell Grants for low-income college students, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness, suggesting that some programs, like the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), might be better managed by other agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services.

McMahon’s confirmation hearing highlighted her support for dismantling the Department of Education and reallocating its functions to other departments. She suggested that programs like Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) could be better managed by other agencies, such as the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, McMahon proposed reducing the department’s staff by 50%, “aiming to make it more cost-efficient and accountable to taxpayers” – a move she made immediately upon confirmation.

The United States Department of Education was created on October 17, 1979, when President Jimmy Carter signed the Department of Education Organization Act into law. The department began operating on May 4, 1980. The primary reason for its creation was to separate the education functions from the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, thereby establishing a dedicated federal agency to oversee education policies and programs.

An act of Congress is required to dismantle the Department of Education. According to USA TODAY, President Trump cannot abolish the Department of Education with an executive order alone because Congress created it by statute. [Jansen, B. (2025, March 15). Why Trump’s executive order can’t abolish Education Department. USA TODAY. Retrieved from https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/03/15/trump-abolish-education-department-executive-order-statutes/82401096007/ )

President Donald Trump announced that the handling of federal student loans will be moved to the Small Business Administration (SBA), and programs for students with disabilities will be shifted to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This move is part of the broader effort to dismantle the Department of Education and redistribute its functions to other federal agencies.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, has been tasked with overseeing the dismantling of the Department of Education. DOGE’s team has obtained administrator-level access to the department’s email system and other sensitive information, raising concerns among federal officials and employees. DOGE’s approach includes widespread staff cuts and budget reductions, claiming to make the department more cost-efficient and accountable to taxpayers. The team has also taken over offices and equipment within the department, creating tension and uncertainty among employees.

The dismantling of the Department of Education raises significant concerns about the future of federal student loans. The department currently administers federal student aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study funds to help students pay for college. If the department is dismantled, there could be delays and disruptions in the processing of student loans and financial aid applications. Experts advise students to continue filling out the FAFSA and seeking financial aid, but they warn of potential delays.

The Department of Education plays a crucial role in supporting students with special needs through programs like the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This law ensures that children with disabilities receive free public education and related services. The dismantling of the department could jeopardize these services and support systems, leaving students with special needs without the necessary resources and assistance.

The Department of Education is responsible for overseeing education policy and administering funding for programs and individuals. Its functions include supporting state and local education systems, promoting educational equity for all students, and providing grants and loans to higher education institutions and students. The department also plays a role in collecting information on schools and teaching, administering support for land-grant colleges and universities, and providing vocational education. Despite its relatively small share of total education funding, the department targets its funds to address critical national needs and fill gaps in state and local support.

Those in favor of the dismantling of the Department of Education argue that these changes will allow a renewed focus on states’ rights and a reduction of federal oversight which would lead to more “localized” and “tailored” educational policies; cost savings, citing the potential of saving billions of dollars in federal spending which would be redirected to other areas or used to reduce the national debt; and, “increased efficiency”, where proponents believe reducing bureaucracy could lead to increased efficiency in the administration of education programs and policies. Project 2025 wants education to be entirely state-controlled and free from federal oversight. This aligns with the long-standing GOP promise to reduce federal involvement in education, a stance that dates back to President Ronald Reagan’s administration.

Critics argue that dismantling the Department of Education could negatively impact low-income students, students of color, students with disabilities, and rural students. The department plays a crucial role in ensuring equal access to education for these groups. The executive order could lead to a reduction in federal funding for education programs, including Title I funding for schools with high proportions of low-income students. The dismantling of the department raises questions and concerns for students, parents, and educators about the future of education policies and programs.

We will kick this segment off with a discussion of the above mentioned controversy over the US Department of Education with Chancellor John B. King, Jr. Professor Kim Crenshaw will join in this discussion of the myriad of devastating policies and actions happening at the Department of Education.  

 Professor Crenshaw will also lead a discussion on the 10th Anniversary of Her Dream Deferred 2025.  The African American Policy Forum (AAPF) is hosting Her Dream Deferred: A Week on the Status of Black Women from March 23 to 29, 2025. Since 2015, AAPF has hosted this annual, week-long, series in honor of Women’s History Month and the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent, to elevate the crisis facing Black women and girls. 

Black women, girls, and femmes have continually been on the front lines of progressive social movements, yet, the challenges they face at the intersection of race and gender have consistently been relegated to the margins of dominant racial and gender justice discourses. Since its inception, Her Dream Deferred (HDD) week has countered that marginalization by amplifying the voices and narratives of Black women and girls and providing the tools to dismantle the structural barriers that plague them in their homes, schools, and communities. 

The 2025 iteration of Her Dream Deferred will continue to feature: 

• A digital retrospective examining the status of Black women in the workplace, politics, higher education, health equity, and youth leadership. 

• A Youth Summit in partnership with the Brooklyn Emerging Leaders Academy (BELA) to engage and equip young leaders.

• A Collaborative Calendar showcasing events and programs taking place during HDD week that uplift Black women and girls.

Our non-partisan show will look at all of these developments and many more through the lens of our special guests.

QUESTIONS:

[Co-Hosts Arnwine and Jones will open with a statement on the Trump Administration’s attacks on judicial independence.]

12:10 PM ET

• [Daryl Jones introduces Chancellor John B. King, Jr.]
• Welcome Chancellor John B. King, Jr. to Igniting Change! How would you describe the highly controversial developments surrounding the Trump Administration’s U.S. Department of Education?
• Despite Project 2025’s section on the Department of Education, did you expect this Administration to take the actions that it has?
• What, to you, has been the most significant action?
• What do you say to the arguments that reducing the staff by 50%, moving pell grants to the SBA, moving Title 1 to Health and Human Services, are necessary actions to improving governmental efficiency and achieving local control of education?
• What are the current consequences of the actions at the Department of Education? 
• What do you think will be the long-term consequences?

12:20 PM ET

• [Barbara introduces Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Esq.]
• Welcome back, Prof. Kimberlé Crenshaw, Esq.! We have been discussing the many changes at the Department of Education since Linda McMahon and the impact of President Trump’s Executive Order seeking to dismantle the Department of Education and more. How would you describe this period in history as we confront these attacks on public education?
• Kim, this is the 10th Anniversary of Her Dream Deferred. Can you please tell our audience about Her Dream Deferred and why it was created?
• Kim, what are some of your favorite programs that will be happening this week?
• Kim, this is a week-long program of events going on now. Can you please tell people what they can expect tonight and in the coming days?
• Kim, how can people get more information to participate in Her Dream Deferred?
• 12:38 PM
• Kim, What is your final one-minute thought?
• Kim, Thank you so much for joining us today. How do our listeners get in contact with you?
• Chancellor King, What are you hearing from other universities in regards to the freezing of funding, anti-DEI measures, and other actions?
• What are your top recommendations right now for how our top, very active listeners as to what they can do to address this assault on the Department of Education
• What is your best advice for how people keep their and their followers’ and friends’ spirits uplifted at this time, when there’s so much negativity?
• Yesterday, I spoke with a room full of young college students whose first question was about their concerns regarding the continuation of pell grants and other programs affecting their ability to stay in school. As Chancellor of SUNY, how are you addressing these questions from your students?
• What do our listeners need to know right now about what they should do?

[Barbara Arnwine and Daryl Jones will remind people to participate in the April 5th major National “Hands Off” Day of Action. The “Hands Off!” movement is organizing a nationwide mobilization on April 5, 2025, to protest against what they describe as a “billionaire power grab” by figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk. The event aims to rally against issues such as cuts to social services, rising healthcare costs, and attacks on workers’ rights. Demonstrations are planned across the country, including marches, rallies, and other nonviolent actions. There will be a large march in Washington D.C.. Learn more at HandsOff2025.com ]

[Barbara Arnwine will mention to the audience of the March 5th re-introduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. To get more information, people can go to sewell.house.gov. That’s S-E-W-E-L-L dot house dot G-O-V. And when you make those daily calls to the Congress at 202-224-3121, be sure to tell your Congressperson to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act!)

[Arnwine and Jones will discuss the public support of the boycotts and Gen Z and Millennials leading the way and the international boycotts of U.S. products.]

[TJC will continue to vigorously defend the rights of all Americans and will fight the implementation of Project 2025 and our future shows will continue to cover any hate crimes and how we effectively protect ourselves while advancing our agenda for justice.]

[Daryl, Barbara, and guests may share their favorite books and encourage people to donate towards TJC’s giveaways of banned and affirming books.]