Trump's 2026 Budget Proposes $163 Billion in Cuts, Targets Head Start and Boosts Charter Schools

President Donald Trump has proposed significant cuts to federal funding in his budget request for fiscal year 2026, targeting education, environmental, and renewable energy programs. The proposal includes eliminating funding for the Head Start program, which supports early childhood education, and reducing allocations for preschools, adult learning, and the Education Department's Office of Civil Rights. The budget also proposes a $10.7 billion cut to the Education Department, sparing only special education and school choice programs.

In the energy sector, the budget aims to cancel $5.7 billion in funds designated for electric vehicle charger grant programs and eliminate over $15 billion in Department of Energy infrastructure and Jobs Act funds. These cuts are part of a broader strategy to reduce non-defense spending by more than $163 billion, affecting areas such as education, transportation, and public health.

The budget also proposes to boost funding for charter schools by $60 million, reflecting Trump's emphasis on school choice. Additionally, the proposal includes a 35% cut to the Office for Civil Rights and a 30% reduction in program administration at the Education Department. Critics argue that these cuts could have detrimental effects on community services and environmental initiatives, while supporters see them as necessary steps to reduce federal bureaucracy and redirect funds to state levels.