Explained: Why Donald Trump wants to get rid of the Department of Education

With a draft executive order reportedly set for Thursday, Trump is directing his newly minted Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, to begin dismantling the very agency she now leads. Not that he can shut it down with the stroke of a pen—Congress holds that power—but the order signals his intent to weaken it, cut staff, and shift its responsibilities elsewhere.

​With a draft executive order reportedly set for Thursday, Trump is directing his newly minted Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, to begin dismantling the very agency she now leads. Not that he can shut it down with the stroke of a pen—Congress holds that power—but the order signals his intent to weaken it, cut staff, and shift its responsibilities elsewhere.