First Thing: Trump signs order to dismantle Department of Education

Executive order denounced as unconstitutional. Plus, Musk's daughter says his gesture definitely Nazi salute'

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Good morning.

Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that instructs the US education secretary, Linda McMahon, to start dismantling the Department of Education, seemingly attempting to circumvent Congress's approval to formally close a federal department.

How has the department already been affected by Trump's state-shrinking efforts? The move comes after steps to undercut the department's authority by instituting a round of layoffs that has nearly halved its workforce and cancelled dozens of grants and contracts.