The Department of Education is facing a major shake-up as the Trump administration takes steps to scale back its influence. According to reports, President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that will begin the process of reducing the department’s size and responsibilities.

The Wall Street Journal has reported that the executive order is expected to direct the department to begin “diminishing itself,” marking a significant step toward fulfilling Trump’s long-held goal of restructuring or eliminating the agency. While abolishing the department entirely would require congressional approval, the administration appears to be moving forward with measures that do not need legislative backing.

A major force behind the effort is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a group tasked with identifying wasteful spending in the federal government. Led by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, the team has already begun reviewing the Education Department’s operations, with some members reportedly gaining access to internal systems.

Republicans have long argued that federal control over education has weakened the quality of schooling in America. House Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg of Michigan has suggested that the best path forward may not be abolishing the department outright but rather working to “de-power” it by shifting more control to state and local governments.

The administration’s plan includes transferring certain functions of the department to other agencies or state governments, particularly those that are not legally required to be handled at the federal level. Some officials have suggested that the administration may wait until Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon is confirmed before making additional moves.

Despite Democratic opposition, the Trump administration appears determined to push forward with its agenda to reform the federal government. The executive order targeting the Department of Education is expected to be just one of many steps in a broader effort to reduce bureaucracy and cut spending.