Senator Elizabeth Warren, a prominent figure in the Democratic party, has initiated a sweeping investigation as part of her Save Our Schools campaign, aimed at probing the Trump administration's controversial decision to close the Department of Education. This announcement was made during a Senate Finance Committee hearing held on April 8, 2025, at the Dirksen Senate Office Building, where Warren also engaged in a pointed exchange with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.

Warren's investigation stems from her commitment to amplify the voices of those adversely affected by what she describes as Trump's 'dangerous agenda.' In a statement shared with ABC News, she emphasized, "I'm opening this investigation to hear directly from students, parents, teachers, and borrowers who are being hurt by Trump's dangerous agenda. Their stories matter -- and they are why I'm in this fight." This sentiment underscores her dedication to ensuring that the impacts of policy changes are felt and addressed at the grassroots level.

Since the announcement of Trump's intention to effectively dismantle the Department of Education, Warren has received numerous accounts from Americans detailing how vital public education has been in shaping their lives. As part of her investigation, Warren sent letters to a dozen educational and civil rights organizations, including the NAACP, the National Education Association (NEA), and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT). In these correspondences, she sought to gather insights on how the proposed closure of the Department would affect millions of students and their families.

In her letters, Warren labeled Trump's plan to shutter the agency and return decision-making power to state authorities as a "reckless crusade." She specifically requested assistance in understanding whether the administration's efforts would jeopardize students' access to affordable, accessible, and high-quality public education. The organizations are expected to respond by May 22.

Warren highlighted key functions of the Department of Education in her communications, such as safeguarding students' civil rights, providing funding for children with disabilities, supporting research that aids educators, and distributing federal financial aid essential for students pursuing higher education. She expressed concern about how the potential dismantling of the Department could lead to significant funding cuts and delays, which may disrupt critical programs like free school lunches for low-income students.

In a contrasting viewpoint, Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the administration's position, asserting that "none of the funding will stop" for mandatory programs. She argued that eliminating the Department could lead to increased funding availability for states. However, Warren pointed out that the legislative hurdles are substantial, as it would require 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a Democratic filibuster to fully dismantle the agency that Congress established.

The President of the National Parents Union, Keri Rodrigues, criticized the administration's ongoing attempts to close the Department, labeling it a "constitutional crisis on almost every front." Similarly, NAACP President Derrick Johnson condemned the administration's actions, suggesting that the systematic dismantling of the Department threatens the foundational aspects of democracy.

Warren's investigation also comes in the wake of a significant reduction in personnel at the Department of Education, with approximately 2,000 employees having been separated from the agency. This dramatic downsizing has resulted in nearly half of the Department's workforce being cut, including many who were part of the Federal Student Aid program. Warren has underscored the critical nature of these positions for the country's over 40 million student loan borrowers, warning of the dire consequences that could follow such layoffs.

As part of her Save Our Schools campaign, which was launched in April, Warren has vowed to fiercely oppose the administration's executive order aimed at improving educational outcomes by empowering parents, states, and communities. She plans to employ a multi-faceted approach that includes federal investigations, community engagement, storytelling, and legal actions to protect public education.

Warren concluded her assertions by stating, "The federal government has invested in our public schools. Taking that away from our kids so that a handful of billionaires can be even richer is just plain ugly, and I will fight it with everything I've got." Her unwavering commitment reflects a broader concern among many educators, parents, and advocates about the future of public education and its accessibility to all children in America.