Hello and welcome to Background Briefing, available 24-7 at Background Briefing.org.

I'm Ian Masters, and today we'll look into a number of stories and issues in the news.

We'll begin with President Trump signing an executive order today instructing Education Secretary

Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the Department of Education.

But since it cannot be closed without congressional approval, some critical functions like

student loans and special education funding will continue in a much

reduced hollowed out department.

We will discuss the broader Trump-Fant's strategy of destroying education, as we know it in

America, outlined by the Vice President in a recent speech where Vance made clear the intention

is to get rid of any liberal or progressive

influence and only have Maga Christian nationalist teaching in the country schools and universities.

Joining us is David Bateman, a professor of government at Cornell University. His books include

Southern Nation, Congress and White Supremacy after Reconstruction, and Disenfranchising Democracy

Constructing the electorate in the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.

Then we'll speak with Ken Vogel, a reporter for the New York Times, Washington Bureau,

where he covers the confluence of money, politics, and influence.

He's the author of Big Money, $2. of money, politics and influence.

He's the author of Big Money, $2.5 billion, one suspicious vehicle and a pimp on the trail of the ultra-rich hijacking of American politics.

And we will discuss his latest article at the New York Times with orders, investigations,

and innuendo Trump and GOP aim to cripple the left.

Then, finally, we'll examine how much vengeance drives Trump, who appears more focused on tearing

down people and institutions than building up America to be in any way great again.

...