Understanding the Department of Education's Role

In the coming days, President Trump is expected to sign an executive order that would follow through on one of his major campaign promises: to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. The catch is that he still needs the department to impose his vision on American schools.

Dana Goldstein, who covers education for The Times, explains how Mr. Trump is balancing his desire both to dismantle and to weaponize the Education Department.

Guest: Dana Goldstein, a reporter covering education and families for The New York Times.

Background reading: 

• Here’s why Republicans want to dismantle the Education Department.
• Video: What does the Department of Education actually do?

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. 

Photo: Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

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