I can understand him trying to undermine it unilaterally. But, that is a department that exists via legislation and I don’t think you can close it without legislation. I know he could try to earmark it in the budgeting process but I somehow think there are certain Republicans (please for the love of God don’t give me this “they will all fall in line.”) Maybe in the house but the Senate is a crapshoot and with the appropriations chair being Susan Collins I can’t see her being exceptionally radical. I’m of the belief that Trump is willing to shut down the entire government to try and get what he wants or potentially even veto a bill that still funds the DOE. As well, Senator Thune for the moment has said there will not be a filibuster reform so we will see how long he holds to that. One thing about firing employees, and trying to make it inoperable but I absolutely do not think he can just shut it down completely. or is there some obscure legal theory that I haven’t figured out yet that they’re going to use?