The Education Department gave another agency power to distribute its money. It hasn't gone well.

An ambitious push to restructure the Education Department through a controversial reorganization plan has faced early setbacks, raising questions about whether broader efforts to dismantle key federal education programs can survive political and bureaucratic hurdles. Critics argue the initial missteps—including resistance from lawmakers and agency officials—could weaken the administration’s broader agenda to reshape federal education policy. Meanwhile, the Labor Department has been drawn into the debate, complicating efforts to streamline oversight of workforce training programs. The outcome may hinge on whether the administration can overcome opposition and refine its approach before moving forward with more sweeping changes.

The stumbles of an early Trump administration experiment to carve up the Education Department risks undercutting the president’s more dramatic demolition plan for the agency. The Labor Department ...