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On Politics

Tue Jul 15 2025

Rebecca Morin | Newsletter Writer

@RebeccaMorin_

How's it going? Rebecca Morin here. Who saw "Superman" over the weekend? As a fan of superhero movies, I, of course, did!

Is the Education Department abolished?

President Donald Trump promised to dismantle the Department of Education on the 2024 campaign trail, and he just scored a win in that effort. The Supreme Court on Monday ruled that the Trump administration could move forward with firing hundreds of workers from the Education Department and continue other efforts to dismantle the agency. More than 1,300 staffers – whose responsibilities included helping protect students and teachers from discrimination, assisting college financial aid offices and compiling data about the nation's schools – were fired from the Education Department in March. The Supreme Court's three liberal justices opposed the ruling.

Trump celebrates decision: The president on Monday wrote in a social media post that the ruling will allow his administration to give "the Power back to the PEOPLE" when it comes to education. Trump in March signed an executive order that directed Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "facilitate the closure of the Department of Education." Why Trump wants to dismantle the Education Department.

What this decision means for you: There isn't much changing right now. After all, the workers who were let go in March have been locked out of their jobs since then. But K-12 schools and higher education programs have reported disruptions in federal funding, issues with administering financial aid and more. See how the workforce cuts have impacted schools and universities.

President Donald Trump signs an executive order to reduce the size and scope of the Education Department during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House on March 20, 2025.

Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images

A politics pit stop

•	Former Trump adviser Mike Waltz faces 'Signalgate' grilling in Senate hearing for UN post.
•	Trump considers changing the name 'soccer' to 'football.'
•	Where's Barron Trump? What we know about the NYU student's private life.
•	Israel strikes Syrian city, vows to protect Druze minority.
•	Cuomo to stay in NYC mayor's race after decisive primary defeat.

Your wallet may be hurting now

Critics of Trump's on-again-off-again tariffs have long warned of an unwelcome rise in the inflation rate. The moment may have arrived. Prices rose 2.7% in the 12 months through June, the Labor Department announced on July 15. It's the highest annual inflation rate since February and a sign that Trump's import taxes may be hitting price tags. Rising prices for housing, food and gasoline drove the increase. See which consumer goods saw price increases.

Obama calls on Democrats to 'toughen up'

Former President Barack Obama doesn't want to hear complaints. He wants to see action. Obama called on Democrats who are frustrated with the status of the country under Trump to "stand up for the things that you think are right," at a private fundraiser in New Jersey on July 11. The former president went on to say that it's going to require "a little less whining" from Democrats and to "toughen up" instead if they want to see change. Obama also brought attention to several governor's races for Democrats to support.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.