Chicago, IL – Former U.S. Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr., Democratic candidate for Illinois’ Second Congressional District, issued a statement Friday condemning efforts by the Trump Administration to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education. Jackson called the move “reckless” and a “grave risk to students, parents and teachers across America.”
According to Jackson, the Department of Education — formally established as a cabinet-level agency in 1979 — traces its roots to post–Civil War reforms and the civil rights movement. He said its mission has long been tied to “advancing core American values” and ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities.
“The Department of Education serves a vital purpose in American life,” Jackson said, emphasizing its role in supporting families with children with disabilities and those in underserved communities.
Jackson argued that eliminating the department would deepen educational disparities and harm economic stability, comparing it to recent “failures of DOGE,” which he said have reduced services for Social Security, SNAP, and Veterans Affairs recipients.
“If the people of the Second Congressional District send me back to Congress,” Jackson said, “I will fight to rebuild the Department of Education, improve its funding, and ensure every American child has access to high-quality public education.”
