Trump Signals Move to Dismantle Department of Education

President Donald Trump has indicated his intention to proceed with plans to dismantle the Department of Education, Al Jazeera reports.

Speaking at a signing ceremony in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump declared:

“Well, I want to just do it. I mean, we’re starting the process.” The statement comes amidst anticipation that a directive to wind down the Department of Education would be included among the orders signed on Thursday.

However, the announcement follows a contradictory statement from White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who hours before the Oval Office appearance denounced reports of an imminent announcement as “more fake news.”

Trump reiterated his long-standing desire to shutter the Department of Education, dismissing suggestions of a delay. When asked if he had any “second thoughts,” the President replied:

“We’re trying to get the schools back into the states. Let the states run the schools.”

Responding to a question about the future of federal student loans and grants currently managed by the Department of Education, Trump suggested transferring those responsibilities to other agencies.

“That would be brought into either Treasury or Small Business Administration or Commerce,” he said, naming several potential replacements.