The Education Department on Friday shared a digitally altered image on X depicting its Washington, D.C., headquarters with a “Spirit Halloween” banner, just one day before Halloween. “These things are just popping up everywhere!” the department wrote alongside the post.
The social media stunt comes as President Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon pursue the agency’s complete elimination. The department has already outsourced numerous functions to other federal agencies—including transferring the student loan portfolio to the Treasury Department—and has laid off thousands of employees.
Critics quickly condemned the post, arguing that the administration’s dismantling of the department will harm schools and students. Daniel Collier, a higher education expert, wrote on BlueSky: “I get asked by reporters all of the time, ‘Why don’t student loan borrowers trust the guidence from the federal government in repaying their loans?’ From now on, I am just going to email them this post.”
The Nevada State Education Association also weighed in, stating that the department “used to play a critical role in ensuring that students with specific needs were protected, fed, and adequately supported. The dismantling, supported by Trump, McMahon, and [GOP Gov. Joe] Lombardo, will hurt Nevadans.”
The department’s actions have drawn scrutiny from Democrats on Capitol Hill, who are preparing a series of oversight measures to block the agency’s dismantling. As the administration continues to reshape federal education policy, the fate of the department remains a flashpoint in the broader political battle over the role of government in schools.
Meanwhile, the White House has been active in its own Halloween-themed messaging, with President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosting a Halloween event that also promoted the administration’s Trump Accounts savings program. The juxtaposition of the Education Department’s mock post with the White House’s festivities highlights the administration’s push to rebrand and downsize federal agencies.
The Education Department’s post also follows a pattern of provocative social media use by the administration, which has frequently employed such tactics to advance its political goals. The department did not respond to a request for comment from The Hill.
As the 2024 midterm elections approach, education decisions are expected to dominate ballots across the country, with the fate of the Education Department serving as a key issue for voters. The administration’s efforts to close the agency have already sparked legal and political challenges, and the coming months are likely to see increased scrutiny from lawmakers and advocacy groups.
