A group of thirty House Democrats were prevented from entering the Department of Education building in Washington, D.C. on Friday morning. Their aim was to meet with acting Education Secretary Denise L. Carter, but they were met by a federal employee who blocked their entry. Representative Maxwell Frost of Florida questioned the employee about whether he was acting on his own accord or following orders, to which the employee simply stated he was performing his job.

The assembled lawmakers voiced their frustration, arguing they had a right to enter the building and criticizing the Trump administration for what they perceived as a lack of transparency. This incident comes amid ongoing debates about the role and future of the Department of Education. President Trump and Republicans have previously called for the department's closure, arguing that states are better equipped to manage education. Trump recently stated that if his nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, is confirmed, her goal should be to make her position redundant.

Ninety-six members of Congress, spearheaded by Representative Mark Takano of California, had previously sent a letter to Carter requesting a meeting. While the department confirmed receiving the letter, no meeting was scheduled. According to reports, an aide managed to enter the building and inform security about the lawmakers' presence. However, the doors were locked when the representatives attempted to enter. This incident coincides with the release of concerning data from The Nation's Report Card, which revealed that a significant number of fourth graders are not proficient readers, a statistic that has remained largely unchanged since 1992.

House Democrats were blocked from entering the Department of Education building in Washington on Feb. 7, 2025. (Fox News)

FILE - President Donald Trump speaks with then-Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in the Roosevelt Room at White House on Dec. 18, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

The U.S. Department of Education building in Washington, D.C. (Erin Scott/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, under the Trump administration, has been critical of the department, advocating for a restructuring. She believes that the department's focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) has been misplaced and that funding should be directly allocated to states. Adding to the political tension, Elon Musk, whose Department of Government Efficiency is anticipated to propose significant budget cuts, has drawn criticism from Democrats protesting on Capitol Hill. President Trump addressed these concerns by stating that Musk requires presidential approval for any actions.