WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is expected to sign an executive order on Thursday directing the closure of the U.S. Department of Education, according to a White House official. The move follows through on a long-standing campaign pledge and targets an agency that has been a frequent focus of conservative criticism.The official, who requested anonymity ahead of the formal announcement, said the order will begin the process of dismantling the department. However, fully eliminating it would require congressional approval, since the department was established by Congress in 1979,

A White House fact sheet says the order will instruct Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take “all necessary steps” to shut down the agency and shift control of education back to the states, while ensuring that essential services and programs continue without disruption.The Trump administration has already taken steps to scale back the department. Its workforce is being reduced by half, and major cuts have been made to key offices, including the Office for Civil Rights and the Institute of Education Sciences, which collects nationwide education data.Critics warn that dissolving the department could worsen existing inequalities in the education system. The National Parents Union released a statement saying, “This isn’t fixing education. It’s making sure millions of children never get a fair shot. And we’re not about to let that happen without a fight.”