WASHINGTON — A group of Democratic lawmakers was denied entry to the U.S. Department of Education headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Friday after requesting a meeting with Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter to discuss their opposition to the Trump administration’s moves to reduce the department’s programming.
Around 18 members of Congress gathered at the department’s visitor entrance after holding a press conference to voice concerns over the Trump administration’s educational policies. A person, who was not in a security uniform, informed the group that they would not be allowed entry. For approximately 30 minutes, the lawmakers argued their case, presenting congressional business cards and insisting they had the right to access the federal building as elected officials overseeing federal agencies.
Uniformed U.S. Department of Homeland Security officers could be seen inside the building.
Rep. Greg Casar, D-Texas, expressed frustration, saying, “Each and every one of us has been through these doors. But as soon as we get word that Elon Musk and Donald Trump want to shut down the Department of Education, suddenly, they don’t want to let members of Congress in to ask questions.”
Earlier in the week, 96 Democratic members of Congress sent a letter to Carter requesting an “urgent” meeting to discuss the Trump administration’s plans, which they argue would “illegally dismantle or drastically reduce” the Education Department. The department confirmed receipt of the letter, but no meeting has been scheduled as of Friday afternoon, according to Rep. Mark Takano’s office.
An Education Department spokesperson commented on the incident, stating, “The protest was organized by members of Congress who were exercising their First Amendment rights, which they are at liberty to do. They did not have any scheduled appointments, and the protest has since ended.”
Carter, a senior official at the department overseeing federal student aid, is currently in the acting role while awaiting Senate confirmation of Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon. McMahon’s confirmation hearing is set for February 13.
President Trump has indicated plans to issue an executive order aimed at limiting the Education Department’s functions, though the timing remains unclear. Since his inauguration on January 20, Trump has signed several executive orders targeting education, including restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, the expansion of school choice, and actions against federal support for “gender ideology and discriminatory equity ideology.” His most recent directive bans transgender girls and women from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity, threatening to revoke federal funding from non-compliant schools.
Trump has also previously expressed his desire to close the Education Department, though such an action would require the approval of at least 60 U.S. Senators. Advocates for reducing or eliminating the department argue that it represents excessive federal bureaucracy and that states and local districts should have more autonomy over educational funding.
During the press conference outside the Education Department, Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., a former national teacher of the year, questioned the impact on civil rights if the department were to shut down. She pointed to the potential harm to 49 million students, including 7 million students with disabilities, and the department’s management of $1.6 trillion in student financial aid.
Hayes asserted, “If you want to have true oversight of the department, I’m here for it, but what you will not do is shut down this department and deny access to children who need it while we’re in Congress.”
Rep. John Mannion, D-N.Y., another former educator turned lawmaker, warned that dismantling the Education Department could lead to larger class sizes and a reduction in essential services, such as athletics, arts, science, and music. “These people and I will not stand here silently as they steal taxpayer dollars from special education students,” Mannion said.
In addition to their efforts at the Education Department, Democratic lawmakers have been blocked from entering other federal agency offices this week, including those of the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Agency for International Development, according to statements from the lawmakers and news reports.
On Thursday, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, called on the Government Accountability Office to investigate the security of IT systems at the Education Department, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This followed reports that the temporary Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, had gained access to data from various government agencies.
Democratic leaders in Congress have also sent a letter to Carter requesting information on the Department of Government Efficiency’s involvement in the Education Department’s internal systems containing personally identifiable information.
