Senator Rand Paul is throwing his full support behind President Donald Trump’s historic plan to eliminate the Department of Education, calling the federal bureaucracy a failure and a burden on teachers and students alike. Speaking on Face The Nation, Paul laid out a bold vision for education reform that centers on local control, innovation, and excellence—not Washington mandates.
“I want to see the NFL of teachers—the most extraordinary teachers—reaching kids across the country,” Paul said. “Right now, the federal government is in the way.”
A Broken System That’s Failing Students
Paul didn’t mince words about the state of American education under federal control. Despite decades of funding and oversight from the Department of Education, national reading and math proficiency rates remain dismal, with many students unable to meet even basic benchmarks.
“We’re spending more and getting less,” Paul said. “It’s time to get the bureaucracy out of the classroom and let states and communities lead.”
He noted that local school districts are better equipped to understand their students’ unique needs and shouldn’t be forced to conform to a one-size-fits-all system dictated by Washington.
Empowering Teachers, Not Bureaucrats
Rather than funneling money through layers of red tape, Paul envisions a system that lifts up the best teachers—those capable of delivering results and connecting with students across all backgrounds.
He proposed a model in which top-tier educators could teach large-scale virtual classes or mentor other teachers, transforming education much like professional athletes elevate their sport.
“We have the tools now to bring the best teachers to every zip code. Why aren’t we using them?” he asked. “Instead, we’ve trapped good teachers under a mountain of federal testing mandates and compliance paperwork.”
Backing Trump’s Bold Education Reform
President Trump’s executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education marks a seismic shift in federal policy. His goal: return power to parents, teachers, and states—and end the federal stranglehold on the classroom.
Paul called the move long overdue, arguing that real reform starts with removing Washington from education altogether.
“We’ve tried top-down control for decades, and all we have to show for it is declining test scores and frustrated teachers,” Paul said. “President Trump is absolutely right to shut it down.”
The Bottom Line
With Rand Paul and Donald Trump aligned on eliminating the Department of Education, momentum is building for a complete overhaul of the American education system—one rooted in local freedom, educational excellence, and respect for teachers, not bloated bureaucracies.
As Paul put it: “Let the best rise. Let parents choose. Let education finally be about the students—not the system.”