On Politics

Thu Mar 6 2025

Rebecca Morin | Senior National News Reporter

@RebeccaMorin_

Hello there! It's Rebecca Morin, senior national news reporter at USA TODAY. Lady Gaga's new album, "Mayhem," comes out tomorrow and I know it's going to be on repeat for me!

Trump preps executive order to dismantle Education Department

President Donald Trump has repeatedly said he wants to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education. And now, Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that will dismantle the agency to "the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law," according to a draft of a preliminary executive order reviewed by USA TODAY. While it's unclear when the president will sign the executive order, it will direct newly installed education secretary, Linda McMahon, to dismantle the agency. Trump won't be able to fully abolish the agency as only Congress has the authority to do so. Read more.

•	Meet Linda McMahon, a former WWE executive, who was confirmed as education secretary this week.

While the Trump administration seeks to strip down the agency, student loan borrowers don't have to worry about losing financial assistance for college. For those who qualified for federal aid calculated through the FAFSA form, or have received a Pell grant, loans are not on the chopping block. Read more.

At the border

Vice President JD Vance visited Eagle Pass, Texas on Wednesday to amplify President Donald Trump's immigration message as the president seeks more funding and resources to carry out his mass deportations.

Vice President JD Vance speaks as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and members of U.S. Border Patrol look on during a visit to the U.S.-Mexico border in Eagle Pass on Wednesday.

Brandon Bell, REUTERS

A politics pit stop

•	Five ways Trump's Greenland saga could play out
•	Trump demands Hamas release hostages or 'it is OVER for you'
•	Watch: Frustrated with party leadership, Democrats wonder what they can do to stop Trump
•	Mike Johnson's chief of staff arrested on DUI charge
•	Trump allowed to fire federal employee watchdog, court rules

Rep. Al Green heckled Trump. So the House censured him.

It was one of the most memorable moments from President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress: Rep. Al Green waving his cane as he interrupted the president. And now, the Republican-controlled House voted to censure the Texas Democrats after his outburst. Ten Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the resolution, which said Green's actions were a "breach of proper conduct." Read more.

•	Al Green's history of protest

'Hamilton' shows canceled at Kennedy Center after Trump takeover

Looks like the producers of "Hamilton" don't mind throwing away this shot. Shows for the hugely popular musical created by Lin-Manuel Miranda have been canceled for a planned 2026 engagement at the Kennedy Center. Jeffrey Seller, producer of the show, cited the "recent purge" by the Trump administration of the center's leadership for the cancellations. Read more.

A quick correction to Wednesday's edition to On Politics: I referred to Greenland as a country. It is in fact a territory. I regret the error.

Got a burning question, or comment, for On Politics? You can submit them here or send me an email at rdmorin@usatoday.com.