What does the Department of Education do? Questions fly as Trump prepares executive order to dismantle it

President Donald Trump is expected to issue an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education, although he appears to have delayed the move. The news comes after Linda McMahon was confirmed as the new education secretary. Trump has been critical of the department, calling it a "big con job," and his administration has already taken steps to slash contracts and target diversity programs. However, Trump's push to abolish the department is likely to face legal challenges, as only Congress has the power to do so. Advocates and congressional leaders, including some Republicans, are mounting a pushback campaign, citing concerns about the department's budget and the impact on students and schools. The Department of Education distributes billions of federal dollars to colleges and schools, manages the federal government's student loan portfolio, and regulates vital services for low-income, homeless, and disabled kids. Despite being the smallest cabinet-level agency, the department plays a crucial role in supporting the nation's students. A majority of public K-12 school funding comes from state and local sources, but universities and colleges rely heavily on federal funds for student financial aid and research grants. Trump has tied funding to his own political agenda, threatening to cut off federal money to institutions that teach certain topics and favoring those that support his school choice programs. The move to dismantle the department is opposed by more than 60% of Americans, according to polls.