Statement from New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Bridges on President Trump’s Executive Order to Dismantle the U.S. Department of Education
[TRENTON, N.J. — March 24, 2025] — New Jersey Secretary of Higher Education Brian Bridges issued the following statement on the Trump Administration Executive Order regarding the U.S. Department of Education:
"The directive to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education is extremely concerning. The move is only creating uncertainty and chaos when we need stronger bridges between federal and state government to ensure all students can thrive.
"For decades, the Department has played a critical role in safeguarding the rights and resources students are entitled to under the law. It has provided essential support to institutions—critical economic engines—that prepare and train our workforce for high-need fields such as teaching and healthcare. It has overseen billions of dollars in need-based federal financial aid, which thousands of New Jersey students and families rely on to attend college, secure well-paying jobs, and ultimately reach their full potential.
"We echo demands to prioritize effective, compliant, and uninterrupted programming and services for the millions of students across the nation who deserve fair and affordable access to higher education. We will keep working alongside our state and national partners, as well as New Jersey's institutions of higher education, to advocate for a fully operational U.S. Department of Education—one that can deliver critical support to students and families.
“Our commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for all students in New Jersey remains unwavering. We refuse to accept anything less."
For more from the Murphy Administration, see the Governor's statement and the statement from the New Jersey Department of Education.
Official Site of The State of New Jersey