US President Donald Trump took aim at the House Democrats after they tried to force their way into the Department of Education in Washington on Friday morning. The lawmakers had demanded a meeting with acting Secretary Denise Carter amid President Trump’s reported plans to dismantle the agency.

“They have lost their minds and they have lost their confidence. They are different people and they look foolish. It’s so sad to see,” Trump said in a speech to Senate Republicans at Mar-a-Lago. “Today, they tried to break into the Department of Education just because we want to go and check the books.”

The confrontation stemmed from Trump’s directive to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by tech mogul Elon Musk, to scrutinize the Department of Education’s finances. The president referenced previous findings from DOGE that uncovered what he termed “waste” at other agencies like the US Agency for International Development (USAID), and he expected similar results at the DOE.

Rep. Maxine Waters, along with several other Democratic representatives, attempted to enter the Department of Education building to voice their concerns over Trump’s plan to reduce the agency’s role. Rep. Mark Takano led the charge, asserting, “We will not allow it. We will not cede the responsibility for our future generations to one man, his ideology, and his unelected lieutenants.”

Despite their objections, security blocked their entrance, citing lack of proper appointments. The lawmakers argued they were exercising their oversight responsibilities as elected officials, but were met with resistance from Department of Education staff, including individuals with ties to the Department of Homeland Security. The Democrats also criticized the presence of Musk's team at the department while they were denied access, claiming that this undermined their roles as representatives of the people.

Trump further criticized the lawmakers, calling Waters and other Democrats “lunatics,” adding that they “don’t love our country” and should be more focused on improving the education system rather than opposing his policies. “We want great education,” he said, reiterating his desire to return control to the states.

The US President’s plan to dismantle the Department of Education is expected to take shape through an executive order in the coming weeks, which would begin the process of winding down the department’s functions. This has raised concerns among Democrats, who fear the impacts of such cuts, particularly for vulnerable students who rely on federal programs like Title I funding and special education services.

Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Alma Adams, have expressed worries over the potential fallout of the proposed changes, including the uncertain future for millions of students. Meanwhile, Trump remains adamant about streamlining government operations and focusing on reducing waste, fraud, and abuse.

As the controversy over Trump’s education policies intensifies, House Democrats continue to push for more clarity on the proposed cuts and their long-term consequences, with many questioning whether the President’s executive orders can bypass Congressional approval.

The standoff at the Department of Education on Friday further highlighted the growing divide between the White House and Congress, with both sides bracing for ongoing battles over budget cuts, executive powers, and the future of public education in the United States.