Trump Strikes Back: Schools That Teach CRT Lose Federal Funding

In a decisive move to reshape American education, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Wednesday—one stripping federal funding from schools that teach critical race theory (CRT) and another expanding school choice for families.

The actions underscore Trump’s commitment to restoring parental rights in education and protecting students from what he calls “radical indoctrination.”

The first order, titled Ending Radical Indoctrination in K-12 Schooling, takes direct aim at CRT, which the Trump administration argues has infiltrated classrooms nationwide.

“For too long, bureaucrats and activists have been using taxpayer dollars to push an anti-American agenda that divides our children instead of uniting them,” Trump stated at the signing ceremony. “That ends today.”

The order declares that any school found promoting race-based teachings that categorize children as “oppressors” or “victims” will immediately lose federal funding. Citing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the order asserts that government money must not support programs that discriminate on the basis of race.

Trump’s move comes amid growing parental backlash against CRT-based curricula. Sarah Montgomery, a Florida mother of three, applauded the decision: “We send our kids to school to learn math, science, and history—not to be told they’re either privileged or oppressed based on skin color. It’s about time someone stood up for us.”

The second executive order, Expanding Educational Freedom and Opportunity for Families, seeks to empower parents by giving them greater control over their children’s education. The order cites alarming statistics from the National Assessment of Educational Progress Report Card, which found that 70% of eighth graders lack proficiency in reading, while 72% are failing in math.

“When public schools fail, families suffer. Communities suffer. Our country suffers,” Trump declared. “Parents—not bureaucrats—should decide where their children get the best education.”

The order directs the Department of Education to provide clear guidance within 60 days on how states can use federal funds to support school choice initiatives. Additionally, within 90 days, the Secretaries of Education and Labor must develop plans to use grant programs to increase educational options for families, including charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling.

Education reform advocate Corey DeAngelis praised Trump’s initiative: “This is why President Trump won the parent vote by nine points. Parents want control over their children’s education—not mandates from Washington.”

Not everyone supports the measures. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, condemned the orders in a strongly worded statement.

“This is nothing more than a scheme to gut public education and funnel money into private hands,” Weingarten argued. “American families want strong, well-funded public schools that prepare children for the future—not a reckless, ideological experiment.”

Despite opposition, Trump remains undeterred. “We are putting parents back in charge and restoring common sense to our schools,” he affirmed. “American education should be about excellence, not politics.”

As these executive orders take effect, the debate over education in America is sure to intensify. With the 2026 midterms on the horizon, school choice and curriculum transparency are poised to be defining issues in the political landscape.