The Trump administration announced interagency agreements that transfer responsibility for large swaths of the U.S. Department of Education’s portfolio to other federal agencies, with the Department of Labor slated to administer more than $20 billion a year in K‑12 and postsecondary grant programs. Secretary Linda McMahon framed the moves as a step toward “empowering states,” while agency officials said staff working on affected grants would be reassigned to partner agencies. The transfers cover offices and programs that have been central to federal K‑12 and higher‑education support: elementary and secondary grants, many postsecondary institution-based grants, Indian education, campus child care, and international education functions. Advocates, union leaders and some congressional Democrats argue the changes are extraordinary because they are being implemented administratively without new legislation and could disrupt services and compliance oversight. Higher‑education leaders and state officials were told to continue engaging with existing program staff but warned the changes will require operational realignment across agencies. Institutions that rely on federal technical assistance, civil‑rights enforcement and targeted funding are already planning for transition risk, compliance gaps, and potential delays in grant competitions and payments.