U.S. President Donald Trump will sign an executive order on Thursday aiming to dismantle the Department of Education, fulfilling a key campaign promise, according to a White House summary seen by Reuters.
he move faces immediate legal opposition, with Democratic state attorneys general filing a lawsuit to block the closure and halt layoffs of nearly half the department’s workforce. Trump and billionaire adviser Elon Musk have previously attempted to cut government programs without congressional approval, but this marks Trump’s first bid to eliminate a cabinet-level agency.
Trump cannot close the department without congressional approval. While Republicans hold a 53-47 Senate majority, abolishing a cabinet agency requires 60 votes, making Democratic support necessary—something they have not indicated they will provide.
The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to close the department and return education control to the states while ensuring services continue. It also stipulates that any remaining education funds must not support diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or gender ideology.
Defenders of the department warn that shutting it down could disrupt funding for K-12 schools and student tuition assistance. The department oversees 100,000 public and 34,000 private schools, handling federal grants for low-income districts, special needs programs, and student loans.
McMahon, recently confirmed by the Senate, supports Trump’s plan but assured that federal school funding approved by Congress will continue. Student loans and disability services are legally protected and will remain operational.
Attorneys general from 20 states and Washington, D.C., have sued in federal court, arguing that mass layoffs—over 1,300 jobs—would cripple the department’s ability to fulfill its legal duties. The lawsuit contends that McMahon lacks authority to eliminate or transfer statutory functions without congressional approval.
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Servic...
Iran's military has threatened to launch sustained attacks on U.S. bases and interests across the Middle East if Washington resumes milita...
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democra...
Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
Russian authorities have reported attacks on voting systems and communication lines as the country’s parliamentary election entered its second day on Saturday (19 September).
Overnight Russian strikes on the city of Sumy, northeast Ukraine, have killed one woman and injured a man, the country's State Emergency Service has said.
The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has prepared sanctions targeting the entire International Criminal Court (ICC) and could announce them soon, escalating Washington's efforts to pressure the global tribunal.
French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged closer ties on Sunday as they sought to strengthen cooperation on geopolitical tensions, climate change, energy and the protection of democratic values.
The Left Party won Sunday's Berlin state election with 25.5 per cent of the vote in the preliminary result, ahead of the Christian Democrats (CDU) on 19.1 per cent. This marks a major shift in the city's political landscape and a setback for Chancellor Friedrich Merz's ruling coalition.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
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