U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to begin dismantling the Department of Education, a move that aligns with his campaign promise and long-standing conservative goals. Trump criticized the department for its “spectacular failures” and promised to return federal education funding to individual states.

“We’re going to close it down as quickly as possible,” Trump said at a signing ceremony at the White House, but the closure will ultimately require congressional approval. Legal challenges to the closure are already underway.

The order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take steps to close the department while ensuring continuity of services. The Trump administration will also push to cut staff and programs at the department, which has been criticized by conservatives for more than 40 years. However, a formal shutdown remains uncertain, as the narrow Republican majority in the Senate may not be enough to pass legislation to abolish the department.

The Education Department, established in 1979, mainly administers student loans and assists low-income students. Trump has long criticized the agency for promoting politically charged materials in schools. However, most K-12 education is overseen by state and local governments, and only about 13% of funding comes from federal sources.

The American Federation of Teachers has strongly opposed the move, saying it would harm students, especially those living in poverty or with disabilities. As the debate continues, the fate of the department remains uncertain.