Only time will tell if Trump’s overhaul of govt succeeds

American nation stands at a pivotal moment in history

THE WORLDVIEW

March 21, 2025

IN his second term, President Donald Trump has launched a sweeping transformation of the federal government, making bold and contentious moves that have upended longstanding institutions. His administration has undertaken mass firings of federal employees, initiated the dismantling of the Department of Education, and withdrawn funding from certain universities, to name just a handful of his moves.

These steps have ignited fierce debate over their legality, implications for public services, and impact on academic freedom.

Upon returning to office, President Trump imposed an immediate hiring freeze across the federal government and ordered the termination of remote work within 30 days. He also initiated a sweeping review of career civil service positions, aiming to reclassify them, thus eliminating traditional job protections.

By late February, over 30,000 federal employees had been dismissed — a scale of termination deemed unprecedented in modern US history. The administration described these cuts as necessary to streamline government operations and align the workforce with its policy goals.

However, the mass firings faced swift legal challenges. A federal judge ordered the reinstatement of tens of thousands of probationary employees, ruling that the dismissals violated federal employment protections. This legal pushback has intensified tensions between the executive branch’s restructuring efforts and established labour laws.

Dismantling the Department of Education

In a move long championed by conservatives, President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, shifting control over education policy to states and local authorities. The administration argues that this decentralisation will reduce federal bureaucracy and empower local communities to shape education according to their specific needs.

The decision has drawn strong reactions. Supporters, particularly rightwing activists and groups like ‘Moms for Liberty’, hail it as a victory against federal overreach in education. Critics, however, warn that the move could destabilise public education, widen inequalities, and disrupt crucial services such as federal student loans and grants.

They argue that without federal oversight disparities in education quality across states could deepen, leaving students in underfunded areas at a disadvantage.

Funding cuts to universities

Higher education has also come under attack. Earlier this month, the Trump administration revoked $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, accusing it of failing to protect Jewish students from harassment — a violation, it claimed, of Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The administration demanded sweeping changes, including placing certain academic departments under receivership and modifying admissions policies. Academic institutions and faculty associations have condemned the move as a direct assault on academic freedom, warning that such federal interventions set a dangerous precedent for government control over university affairs.

The controversy has sparked a larger debate about how to balance anti-discrimination enforcement with institutional independence.

Public backlash, uncertain outcomes

The administration’s aggressive policy shifts have far-reaching consequences for governance, public services, and education. The mass terminations have raised concerns about the federal government’s ability to function effectively, with fears of service disruptions impacting millions of Americans. The dismantling of the Department of Education has left questions about the future of federal student aid, while the university funding cuts have ignited concerns over government overreach in academia.

Public opinion is starkly divided. Supporters argue that the Trump administration is delivering on promises to reduce bureaucracy and return control to local entities. However, opponents warn that these drastic actions could weaken essential public services, increase educational disparities, and erode the principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy.

As legal battles unfold and debates intensify, the long-term impact of Trump’s controversial policies remains uncertain. The American nation stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with fundamental questions about federal oversight, public institutions, and the boundaries of executive power.