Trump moved to abolish the Education Department: What comes next

President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an Executive Order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take the steps necessary to close the Department of Education, taking a major step toward fulfilling a longstanding ambition of the GOP. But the order only starts the process, which will ultimately need an act of Congress to complete.

"People have wanted to do this for many, many years, for many, many decades, and I don't know, no president ever got around to doing it, but I'm getting around to doing it,” he said. “So thank you very much.”

Ahead of the signing, an administration official who declined to be identified confirmed to Just the News that it would further require programs that receive the remainder of DOE funding to refrain from supporting gender ideology or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The order will not affect outstanding student loans or students covered under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).