[VT Washington, D.C.] — March 12, 2025, The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) Chair Rep. Grace Meng and Education Task Force Chair Rep. Mark Takano released a joint statement condemning the Trump Administration’s decision to cut nearly half of the Department of Education’s workforce, warning of severe consequences for public education.
CAPAC Denounces the Dismantling of the Department of Education
“Every child deserves a high-quality education, regardless of their background. The Department of Education plays a critical role in ensuring this, yet the Trump Administration has chosen to gut the agency by slashing nearly half of its staff,” the statement reads.
Meng and Takano warned that this decision is just the beginning, stating that the Trump Administration “will not stop until the Department of Education is completely dismantled—forcing school closures, cutting special education services, slashing job training programs, and making it harder for millions to join the middle class.”
Additionally, the move could have devastating effects on Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), which rely on federal funding to provide affordable, high-quality education to many low-income Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students.
Call for Increased Investment in Public Education
The statement criticized the administration’s priorities, saying, “Instead of gutting public education, we should be investing in our children’s future. Yet, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are more interested in giving billionaires a tax break than ensuring the success of the next generation.”
CAPAC urged Congress to take action to prevent further cuts and protect access to education for all students, particularly those from marginalized communities.
