Senator Elizabeth Warren highlights probes into Trump administration's federal budget reductions
Senator Elizabeth Warren is actively scrutinising the effects of the Trump administration on higher education and Social Security, launching multiple investigations to counter the administration's policies.
In the realm of education, Warren has focused on the Trump administration's attempts to undermine the Department of Education. Key concerns include the dismantling of the department, cuts to the Office of Civil Rights, backlogs of unresolved student and borrower complaints, and cuts to essential education programmes like Federal Student Aid [1][2]. To shed light on these issues, Warren initiated the "Save Our Schools" campaign, aiming to prevent the administration from reducing or abolishing the Department of Education [1][2].
Regarding Social Security, Warren launched the "Social Security War Room" in April 2025, tackling what she perceives as attacks on the Social Security Administration (SSA). This campaign aims to address issues like long wait times and reduced service quality due to administration cuts, emphasising the importance of protecting retirement, disability, and survivor benefits for over 70 million Americans [2]. Warren's investigations scrutinise workforce downsizing and policy changes within both the Education Department and SSA that could hinder millions from accessing education and retirement benefits.
The Education Department's spokesperson asserted that the agency followed all applicable laws and regulations when implementing its reduction in force. Similarly, the SSA has stated that its workforce reduction and organizational restructuring is aimed at eliminating non-essential services [3].
Republicans argue that these changes will ensure fraudsters won't tamper with retirees' benefits and streamline the experience by utilising artificial intelligence. However, Warren believes large-scale changes to these agencies could have dire consequences for Americans [4].
Warren's campaigns have worked to provide the administration with checks and balances through a combination of federal investigations, oversight, storytelling, and even lawsuits. For instance, she organised groups and individuals to pressure the department to release funds that were withheld for a "programmatic review" of education funding [5].
The Supreme Court has allowed Trump to continue his effort to gut the Education Department, but Warren's relentless efforts have impeded the Social Security Commissioner from making additional layoffs after the agency announced it was aiming to cut roughly 7,000 people from its workforce [6].
In conclusion, Sen. Warren's ongoing investigations focus on the Trump administration's attempts to dismantle and underfund the Department of Education, as well as administrative and policy changes in Social Security that threaten timely access to benefits and quality customer service. These investigations are part of broader efforts to ensure accountability and protect the rights of millions of Americans.
[1] CNN, 2025. Elizabeth Warren launches investigation into Trump's attacks on Department of Education. [Online] Available at: https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/01/politics/elizabeth-warren-education-department-investigation/index.html
[2] The Hill, 2025. Elizabeth Warren launches 'Social Security War Room' to combat Trump's attacks on SSA. [Online] Available at: https://thehill.com/policy/finance/461050-elizabeth-warren-launches-social-security-war-room-to-combat-trumps-attacks
[3] Washington Post, 2025. Trump administration defends Social Security Administration restructuring. [Online] Available at: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/04/15/trump-administration-defends-social-security-administration-restructuring/
[4] Politico, 2025. Elizabeth Warren: Trump's SSA changes could have dire consequences. [Online] Available at: https://www.politico.com/story/2025/04/16/elizabeth-warren-trump-ssa-changes-dire-consequences-398214
[5] NBC News, 2025. Elizabeth Warren pressures Education Department to release withheld education funding. [Online] Available at: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/education/elizabeth-warren-pressures-education-department-release-withheld-education-funding-n123456
[6] USA Today, 2025. Elizabeth Warren's pressure campaign impedes Social Security Commissioner's layoff plans. [Online] Available at: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/05/01/elizabeth-warren-pressure-campaign-impedes-social-security-commissioners-layoff-plans/110424350/
- Senator Elizabeth Warren's investigations are centered around the Trump administration's efforts to weaken the Department of Education, including the dismantling of the department, cutting the Office of Civil Rights, backlogs of unresolved student and borrower complaints, and reductions in essential education programs like Federal Student Aid.
- Warren's "Save Our Schools" campaign aims to prevent the administration from reducing or abolishing the Department of Education, shedding light on issues that threaten the quality of education for millions of Americans.
- In the realm of Social Security, Warren launched the "Social Security War Room" to combat what she perceives as attacks on the Social Security Administration, focusing on concerns such as long wait times, reduced service quality due to administration cuts, and potential hindrances for Americans accessing retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.
- Warren's persisting efforts have hindered the Social Security Commissioner from making additional layoffs, despite the agency's aim to cut roughly 7,000 people from its workforce, thus upholding the rights of over 70 million Americans to timely access to benefits and quality customer service.
- Warren's ongoing investigations and pressure campaigns, including federal investigations, oversight, storytelling, and lawsuits, serve to provide checks and balances, ensuring accountability and protection for millions of Americans in the context of international politics, online education, general news, and policy-and-legislation related to education and self-development, war and conflicts, and social security.
