RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Reaction poured from several Virginia leaders after President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday that aims to dismantle the Department of Education. Several Virginia leaders issued statements after President Trump signed an executive order on Thursday, March 20 that aims to dismantle the Department of Education. U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) In a post on X, Warner shared the following statement: "If there’s one thing that should bring us all together, it should be that American kids – no matter their zip code – get a world-class public education. By dismantling the Department of Education, Donald Trump is taking square aim at that goal." Congressman John McGuire (R-Va.) McGuire shared the following statement in a post on X: "Why do homeschool students perform way above the national average on reading, writing, and arithmetic? For far too long, the Department of Education has fueled woke ideology and ignored the basics. I agree with President Trump -- we need to take the necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education. This Executive Order will empower states and parents to make the best decisions for their kids." Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Va.) In an email, Hashmi shared the following statement: “Public education is the cornerstone of our democracy and our most essential public good. By issuing an Executive Order to shut down the Department of Education, the Trump-Musk administration has launched a full-scale attack on a cherished principle that has long distinguished this country: the idea that every child, regardless of wealth, privilege or ability, has the fundamental right to an education. The destruction of the US Department of Education has sweeping consequences on access to education, higher education affordability, and our nation’s ability to compete on the global scale in an increasingly complex world. As the Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee and as a former educator myself, I am ready to lead the fight in Virginia to safeguard our schools, colleges and universities, and the foundational structures of our economy and society.” Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) In a statement shared by the Governor's Office via email, Youngkin said: "Virginia is ready to take full responsibility for K-12 education. We have implemented a high-expectations agenda that sets rigorous standards, holds schools accountable for results and prioritizes resources to the students and schools that need the most support. We welcome the federal government’s shift of responsibility to the states—and we are grateful that President Trump's executive order does just that. The EO also makes it clear that there will be no discrimination in the classrooms. We will continue to ensure every student graduates career-, college-, or military-ready.” Virginia Board of Education President Grace Creasey In the email shared by Youngkin's Office, Creasey said the following statement: "President Trump’s executive order to return education leadership to the states empowers parents and reduces federal overreach. For too long, bureaucrats in Washington have dictated one-size-fits-all policies that fail to address the unique needs of the Commonwealth’s students and schools. Returning decision-making authority and funding to the states can foster innovation, accountability, and better educational outcomes. This is about putting parents and state and local leaders back in charge of education.”  Congressman Bobby Scott (D-Va.) Prior to Trump's official signing of the executive order on Thursday, Scott issued the following statement which says in part: “President Trump’s executive order has little regard for the irreparable harm it will cause to students, educators, our future workforce, and parents, who are already struggling.  Moreover, this move will force more dedicated civil servants with invaluable institutional knowledge out of the federal government.  And they will be replaced with political appointees who answer only to President Trump, a man who has declared himself king, and an unelected billionaire, Elon Musk." Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) In a video shared on X, Spanberger said in part: "This could be devastating for Virginia's public schools, and it could be particularly bad for students with disabilities, preschoolers and Head Start programs, and students across Virginia's rural communities." ...read more read less