The Trump administration’s moves to shrink and redistribute functions of the U.S. Department of Education have triggered lawsuits, calls for Secretary Linda McMahon’s resignation, and widespread concern among higher‑education leaders. Lawmakers and 20 states plus D.C. filed a complaint arguing the administration is effectively dismantling the department without Congress’s consent, while critics warn that programs moved to agencies like Labor and Interior lack subject‑matter expertise. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and other Democrats have sharply criticized the transfers, arguing they place education policy in hands without relevant experience and risk funding interruptions for Title I, civics, and literacy efforts. The court challenge contends the executive actions exceed statutory authority to reorganize the agency. At the same time, Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s high‑profile school outreach has drawn protests from critics who say some materials and sponsor ties lean partisan. The protests underscore broader anxieties on campus about administration influence on curriculum, civics programming and federal oversight. College and K‑12 leaders now face a more unstable federal partner as litigation and agency reorganizations play out.