March 24, 2025 - SACRAMENTO – Senator Sasha Renée Pérez (D-Pasadena), Chair of Senate Education Committee, issued the following statement on 
President Trump’s executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education:
“President Trump will not succeed in his unconstitutional effort to destroy the U.S. Department of Education. This vital department that Congress created cannot be eliminated by Executive Order. Only Congress could take this action.
“Schools across California rely on the U.S. Department of Education to deliver funding for low-income students and students with disabilities. California receives between $7.5 and $8 billon dollars each year in federal education funds. Dedicated federal workers protect students from discrimination in education and administer federal student aid programs.
“Let’s be clear: Trump’s actions today are intended to lay the ground work for mass privatization of our public education system, transferring billions in public funds to wealthy elite private schools. His advisors have suggested allowing states to refuse to support low-income students or students with disabilities and doing away with financial aid programs entirely. In Trump’s America, access to a quality education is not a right - it’s a luxury available to just the wealthy few. We will not allow this to happen.
“As the Chair of Senate Education, I’m ready to fight to protect our students and ensure California remains resilient against Trump’s regressive actions. We will use every tool we have - through our budget and policy process - to protect California kids.
“I’m confident the lawsuit brought by California Attorney General Rob Bonta and 19 other states will prevail and provide a strong check against this clear abuse of power. We must confront this administration’s threats on every front to ensure our students, the U.S. Constitution, and ultimately our democracy are protected.”
Senator Sasha Renée Pérez is the Chair of the Senate Education Committee and represents the 25th Senate District that includes the communities of Glendale, Pasadena, Alhambra, Altadena, Arcadia, Claremont, Glendora, La Cañada Flintridge, La Crescenta-Montrose, Monrovia, Monterey Park, Rosemead, San Gabriel, San Marino, Sierra Madre, South Pasadena, Temple City, Fontana, Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, and San Antonio Heights.
Source: Senator Sasha Renée Pérez
