New Moves to Dismantle Education Department Threaten Students’ Rights and Safety

In response to reports that the Trump Administration will move multiple parts of the Education Department to other federal departments as part of their ongoing push to dismantle the agency, Amy Spitalnick, CEO of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs, released the following statement:

“The administration’s continued dismantling of the Department of Education, without any Congressional approval or involvement, directly threatens the rights and wellbeing of students across this country. 

This administration claims to prioritize the fight against antisemitism — yet it has repeatedly gutted the very tools necessary to protect the Jewish community. By seemingly committing to move DOE’s Office of Civil Rights, which investigates and protects campus safety and civil rights, to a different department, this administration is abandoning Jewish – and all – students. It is leaving them vulnerable to discrimination, sexual assault, and broader attacks on civil rights. 

No other agency can effectively play the same role. Moving OCR to the Department of Justice is not an acceptable alternative, as the DOJ has a higher threshold for investigating discrimination – meaning students could need to hire a lawyer or be unable to have their complaints investigated. Making OCR a part of the Department of Education was a deliberate choice to prioritize students’ needs, and it has been uniquely effective. 

This dismantling of the DOE is part of a broader effort to undermine our democracy, civil service, and academic institutions. Much like the attacks on universities and academic freedom and research, this will not make Jews or any students safer – because strong educational institutions and inclusive democracy are inextricably linked with the Jewish community’s advancement, rights, and safety.”