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What does the US education department do - and can Trump dismantle it?

5 days ago

Ana Faguy

BBC News, Washington DC

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The US Department of Education has announced plans to slash about half of its workforce, in what appears it be an intermediate step as President Donald Trump considers an executive order that would shut it down altogether.

The cuts affect "all divisions", the department said, though it remained unclear exactly who was cut.

Earlier reports suggested Trump planned to end some of the department's programmes, while others would be housed within different parts of the government.

A total shutdown of the department is a a long-cherished goal of conservatives, but would require an act of Congress.