<h1>Trump's Executive Order Targets US Education Department Shutdown; Critics Warn of Increased Educational Inequality</h1> President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order to shut down the US Education Department, fulfilling a campaign promise to eliminate what he views as a wasteful agency influenced by liberal ideology. The order instructs Secretary Linda McMahon to facilitate the department's closure and return educational authority to the states while maintaining essential services. Critics argue this move would exacerbate educational inequality. The department, which manages significant federal funding and student loans, faces workforce cuts and reduced civil rights oversight. While Trump aims to transfer functions to other departments, the closure requires Congressional approval, which remains uncertain.