WASHINGTON (WCAX) – Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders joined teachers on Wednesday outside the Capitol to call attention to President Trump’s promises to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

The department, according to some reports, has already started to terminate its civil service workforce. It comes as Trump’s nominee to lead the department, Linda McMahon, is set to face a Senate confirmation hearing on Thursday.

“Public education is the backbone of American democracy. It’s where all of our people come together to learn and grow. And our job is not to destroy public education, it is to significantly improve it,” Sanders said.

“Every student deserves the resources and support, the access and the opportunities that will help them live,” said Becky Pringle, National Education Association President.

Due to its status as a cabinet-level federal department, the president would need congressional action to fully abolish the department.