The federal judge also told the administration to reinstate department employees who lost their jobs during the reduction-in-force announced in March.

The department sent a letter to state leaders threatening the loss of funds for K-12 schools that don't follow its interpretation of civil rights laws.

Teacher unions and some parent groups condemned the cuts, while school choice advocates celebrated them.

Code Switch's Gene Demby looks into the Department of Education's new end-DEI portal that asks Americans to narc on their local public schools.

The draft executive action, obtained by NPR, acknowledges that the department and its signature responsibilities were created by Congress and cannot legally be altered without congressional approval.

The White House has been clear that it intends to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, and that it will be McMahon's job to oversee that effort.

McMahon has a limited background in education, and a long career as a business executive. She'd be stepping into an agency the president hopes to dissolve.