Trump Signs Order to Begin Dismantling Education Department

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, aligning with his campaign promise to eliminate the agency. The order will instruct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate steps towards closing the department and transferring educational authority back to the states, while ensuring that essential services and programs continue. The move, which faces potential legal challenges, follows significant job cuts within the agency. While the order is intended to reduce federal oversight, critical funding for students with disabilities and low-income schools will remain unchanged during the transition. Trump's administration has criticized the department as wasteful and aims to empower local entities to improve educational outcomes. However, completely shutting down the department will require congressional approval, as it was established by law in 1979.