Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the Trump administration's dismantling of the Education Department during a House hearing, sparking clashes with Democrats over student loans, special education, and civil rights. - The department has cut staff by 45% and shifted over 100 programs to other agencies.
- The student loan office is hiring 334 new staff after earlier cuts caused harm. - No final decision has been made on moving special education oversight under IDEA.
- The Office for Civil Rights saw a dramatic drop in case resolutions after staff cuts. The hearing underscored deep partisan divisions over the future of federal education policy.