A conservative group unveils a plan for Trump to overhaul the Department of Education by dismissing key officials.

The American Accountability Foundation publishes a list of the country's top education officials deemed to be the most subversive.

A conservative group unveils a plan for Trump to overhaul the Department of Education by dismissing key officials.
A conservative group unveils a plan for Trump to overhaul the Department of Education by dismissing key officials.

The American Accountability Foundation, a conservative government research nonprofit, has published a list of top bureaucrats at the Department of Education that it recommends President-elect Donald Trump should fire. The nonprofit, which is funded by the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation, compiled the list of 19 "dossiers" naming "America's Most Subversive Education Bureaucrats." AAF President Tom Jones, a former Republican congressional staffer, told Planet Chronicle Digital that the list was not compiled at the behest of the Trump transition team but rather because the conservative organization believes it's important that the American people understand that there are ideologues within the federal government who have an agenda that they're willing to implement despite the clear direction from the voters in November. Jones believes that it's fundamentally undemocratic for a group of people who don't reflect the will of the American people to implement their agenda over that of what the American people said was their will in November. He also believes that the higher education system in America is broken and that the events of last summer, where left-wing pro-terrorist groups took over American campuses, should have been a wake-up call for all Americans.

According to Jones, the list comprises individuals who are "serial donors" to Pete Buttigieg, Elizabeth Warren, and President Biden, as well as other "hard core ideologues" who prioritize their own progressive agendas, such as promoting Biden's student loan "bailouts," increasing regulations on successful online class partnerships, and conducting a "witch hunt" against Christian and career colleges through the Student Financial Aid Office of Enforcement.

Biden stands in front of banner on canceling student debt
President Biden in Madison, Wisconsin, on Monday, April 8, 2024.  (Daniel Steinle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Jones identified one individual at the Office of Enforcement who had spent his career at the Maryland Attorney General's Office investigating career colleges and Christian colleges. He pointed to another person who stated that he would work to turn the DOE into a "mini-CFPB," a reference to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which Jones described as "essentially just a witch hunt factory that's used to investigate organizations of people that the administration doesn't like." The nonprofit described one general attorney for the DOE included on the list as "a leading legal advocate for transgender rights in the debate over religious exemptions for certain universities."

Unless these individuals are removed from their positions within the Department of Education, they will continue to work behind the scenes to undermine alternatives to traditional four-year institutions, according to Jones.

The nonprofit claims that a civilian employee in the DOE Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) spearheaded a "$6.1 billion student loan forgiveness scheme for art institute students." According to Jones, this is not relief but a huge giveaway to people who pursue unaffordable college degrees. Jones argues that it is unfair and wrong for the federal government to repay student loans for someone while putting the burden on other professions, such as plumbers, welders, and teachers who did not go to college. Jones believes that if someone wants to pursue a college degree, they should be prepared to pay for it.

College students in Texas
Students prepare for a lecture at the University of Texas at Austin on Feb. 22, 2024, in Austin, Texas. President Biden has announced another $1.2 billion in student loan forgiveness, adding to a total of $138 billion forgiven.  (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Another DOE employee is accused of aiding the Biden administration in weaponizing federal student aid policies against faith-based higher education.

The nonprofit has accused the person of playing a key role in the DOE imposing a $37.7 million fine on Grand Canyon University, the largest Christian college in the US, for allegedly misrepresenting the cost of its doctoral degree programs. The Biden administration has been accused of effectively "bullied" the college into wiping out student debt for them. Jones, who is named on the list, stated that everyone on it earns six figures, with some even making an annual salary of over $200,000. The average American teacher's salary is around $50,000 to $60,000. Jones criticized the "woke bureaucrats" at the Department of Education for attacking alternatives to education, including career colleges and Christian colleges, and for getting rich doing it. He expressed hope that the administration would recognize the unacceptability of this and take action to stop it.

Linda McMahon
Linda McMahon, former administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and education secretary nominee, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Jan. 8, 2025.  (Valerie Plesch/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

"Jones stated that the individuals being discussed are not technical experts, but rather engaged in policy and ideological work. He emphasized that this work is not related to plumbing, and that these individuals are similar to political appointees who can be removed at the start of a new administration."

"I hope the administration treats them like political appointees and asks them to leave, as if they don't, they will bring left-wing political ideology to the administration for the next four years. Unfortunately, we saw some of that happen in the first administration. I am cautiously optimistic that the administration has learned their lesson and won't let unelected bureaucrats run roughshod over their agenda during this administration."

Linda McMahon, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Education Secretary, still needs to undergo a Senate confirmation process, according to Jones.

The Department of Education is in dire need of a shake-up, and I'm thrilled that she has the freedom and resources to do the hard work required to modernize the agency, which is still stuck in the 1970s, despite the world's advancements in education. Planet Chronicle Digital contacted the Department of Education press office and individual staffers for comment.

The American Accountability Foundation (AAF) created a list of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees that they recommended the Trump administration remove. DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas condemned any attempts to harass or intimidate DHS employees. However, according to Jones, Mayorkas used the power of the DHS to suppress speech by groups like the AAF. There were no instances of anyone feeling threatened, but Mayorkas ordered investigations of the AAF within the DHS. Jones believes that this is an example of the weaponization of the US government under the Biden administration and that the idea of people feeling targeted is a false narrative used to shut down speech that the administration does not agree with.

by Danielle Wallace

politics

Biden Ducks Questions After Years of Trump's Unscripted Media Blitz

Biden Ducks Questions After Years of Trump's Unscripted Media Blitz

politics
Republicans in the Senate initiate campaign to prohibit Chinese citizens from acquiring property in the United States.

Republicans in the Senate initiate campaign to prohibit Chinese citizens from acquiring property in the United States.

politics
Johnson records Vance's maiden trip to the Oval Office on camera.

Johnson records Vance's maiden trip to the Oval Office on camera.

politics
Republicans plan to make Trump's executive orders permanent by working together.

Republicans plan to make Trump's executive orders permanent by working together.

politics
Johnson condemns Biden's last-minute pardons as 'shocking' and 'disgusting'.

Johnson condemns Biden's last-minute pardons as 'shocking' and 'disgusting'.

politics
Trump's Justice Department reforms reshape Bureau of Prisons leadership.

Trump's Justice Department reforms reshape Bureau of Prisons leadership.

politics
Biden-era health policies, including efforts to expand ObamaCare, were reversed on Trump's Day One actions.

Biden-era health policies, including efforts to expand ObamaCare, were reversed on Trump's Day One actions.

politics
Trump DHS expands expedited deportation powers as operations intensify.

Trump DHS expands expedited deportation powers as operations intensify.

politics
Biden order allowing transgender troops revoked by Trump in effort to remove DEI from military.

Biden order allowing transgender troops revoked by Trump in effort to remove DEI from military.

politics
President Trump's reversal of Biden-era climate emissions standards is criticized by Newsom using the ongoing LA fires.

President Trump's reversal of Biden-era climate emissions standards is criticized by Newsom using the ongoing LA fires.

politics
Republican leaders remain divided on reconciliation debate following Trump meeting.

Republican leaders remain divided on reconciliation debate following Trump meeting.

politics
The DOGE subcommittee now includes a Democrat who aims for 'good government'.

The DOGE subcommittee now includes a Democrat who aims for 'good government'.

politics
Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.

Biden sent Trump a 'very nice' letter with an 'inspirational' message, the new president stated.

politics
Bishop excoriated by Trump as 'Radical Left hard line Trump hater' after politically charged prayer service.

Bishop excoriated by Trump as 'Radical Left hard line Trump hater' after politically charged prayer service.

politics
Sen. Thune proposes waiting until the weekend to confirm Trump's picks after Dems postpone votes: "Easy enough"

Sen. Thune proposes waiting until the weekend to confirm Trump's picks after Dems postpone votes: "Easy enough"

politics