Trump Orders Closure of Department of Education

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday "aimed at eliminating" the US Education Department.

"We're going to shut it down as quickly as possible," Trump said, surrounded by students sitting at desks. "It's doing us no good."  

Trump has called on Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all legal steps to shut down the department. 

He also said critical programs currently operated by the Education Department would be moved to other agencies.

The president said dismantling the department would return decisions on education to the country's states. 

Congress would have to pass legislation to close the Department of Education completely. It is, however, unlikely that Trump has support from enough lawmakers to pass such a law.