President Donald Trump was criticized after he used children as props during a dystopian signing ceremony to officially begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education (DOE).
Trump signed an executive order on Thursday directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the DOE—an apparent attempt to bypass Congressional approval, which is required to formally shut down a federal agency.
Speaking at a signing ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Trump acknowledged that his administration may later seek Congressional approval to eliminate the department entirely, arguing that its budget had more than doubled in recent years without improvements in national test scores.
And rather disturbingly, the room was transformed into a classroom setting with children seated at desks. As part of the event’s carefully orchestrated presentation, the children participated by signing their own ‘executive orders’ and received commemorative pens.
You can see video of the event below.
Many were disturbed by the propagandistic display and condemned Trump's move.
Shame on the parents who allowed their children to be used as props.
— Tooey (@sueric.bsky.social) March 20, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Performative evil - just a display of power. They're challenging us to rise against them. He needs to win a civil war to complete the coup.
— Me & Taylor (@vespalien.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 8:41 AM
All those kids can look forward to working in coal mines and plantations since that’s about the best job their education will get them in the future. Bravo America. Bravo.
— AngryVeteran (@angryveteran.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 9:03 AM
A little man, with little morality, sat at his little dest, in front of little children, to do HUGE destruction to our little schools.
— PISSED OFF GRANNY (@ifht.bsky.social) March 21, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Chilling that Trump filled the room with cute children while he eliminated support for their schools
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— Mia Farrow 🇺🇦🇨🇦🇪🇺🏳️⚧️ (@miafarrow.bsky.social) March 20, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Nine Republican governors—including Ohio’s Mike DeWine, Florida’s Ron DeSantis, and Texas’ Greg Abbott—were in attendance, along with representatives from Moms for Liberty, The Heritage Foundation, and Concerned Women for America.
The event’s high-profile conservative presence seemed designed, at least in part, to counter political backlash and reassure the public that dismantling the DOE would not harm children, despite Democratic warnings.
Polling suggests public skepticism about the move: an NPR/PBS News/Marist poll from February found 63% of respondents opposed eliminating the department, with only 37% in favor. Still, the administration is moving forward with what is one of the largest federal downsizing efforts in recent history.
The DOE has already started laying off nearly half of its staff, including attorneys, student aid workers, and civil rights office personnel, and is terminating office leases nationwide—a potential preview of broader agency cuts to come.
