Several Republican lawmakers are advocating for significant changes to the Department of Education, including potential audits and even dismantling the agency. This push aligns with broader efforts by some Republicans, including President Trump and Elon Musk, to streamline government agencies and reduce spending.

Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) expressed strong support for substantial cuts to the Department of Education, emphasizing his preference for state-level control over curriculum development. Other Republicans, like Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), suggested a range of agencies for review, including OSHA, EPA, and the ATF, but the Department of Education emerged as a primary focus.

Reps. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) and Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) support auditing or scaling back the Department of Education, aligning with efforts by Elon Musk and President Trump. (Getty)

Amid rumors of a potential executive order from President Trump to eliminate the Department of Education, Rep. Biggs suggested a compromise involving its elimination and the redistribution of some funds to states as block grants. Rep. Gill echoed this sentiment, calling for the department's removal and criticizing its spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

President Donald Trump is anticipated to sign an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education. (Evan Vucci/AP)

This criticism resonates with long-standing conservative concerns about the department, established in 1980. Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) voiced his desire for the department to be scaled back or eliminated and suggested that Musk could investigate its spending practices. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) has introduced a bill to eliminate the department, gaining support from 30 House Republicans.

Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) reintroduced his bill to eliminate the Department of Education. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) indicated potential congressional support for Trump's executive order, citing concerns about declining U.S. educational rankings and advocating for greater local control over education.