Trump to order closure of Education Department

Protestors gather during a demonstration at the headquarters of the Department of Education in Washington (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

President Donald Trump plans to sign an executive order on Thursday calling for the shutdown of the US Education Department, according to a White House official.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity before an announcement which will advance a campaign promise to eliminate an agency that has been a long-time target of conservatives.