WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday gave President Trump the authority to dismantle the Education Department and to fire about half of its staff. In a 6-3 decision, the court’s conservatives set aside a Boston judge’s order and cleared the way for Education Secretary Linda McMahon to carry out her plans to shut down much of her department.

In a divided ruling, the court hands the executive branch power to dismantle a federal agency, over fierce liberal dissent warning of harm to students and the Constitution alike.