Major Layoffs at the Education Department Under Trump Administration

WASHINGTON — The Education Department is set to lay off over 1,300 employees in a significant reduction of its workforce, aiming to halve the agency’s staff. This move is part of President Donald Trump’s broader strategy to dismantle the federal agency.

On Tuesday, department officials announced these cuts, raising concerns about the agency’s capacity to maintain its standard operations. The Trump administration has already been reducing staff through buyout offers and the termination of probationary employees. Following these layoffs, the Education Department’s personnel will decrease to approximately half of its previous total of 4,100.

This downsizing is part of a larger initiative directed by Trump to minimize the federal government’s presence. The administration anticipates thousands of job cuts across various agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.

Termination of Leases

The Education Department is also terminating leases on buildings in several major cities, including New York, Boston, Chicago, and Cleveland.

Despite the layoffs, officials have assured that key functions of the department will continue, including the distribution of federal aid to schools, management of student loans, and oversight of Pell Grants. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated, “Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.”

In a memo released on March 3, the day of her Senate confirmation, McMahon warned employees to prepare for significant cuts, emphasizing the department’s mission to eliminate bureaucratic excess and shift authority to states.

In an email sent to staff on Tuesday, the department indicated that its Washington headquarters and regional offices would be closed on Wednesday for unspecified security reasons, reopening on Thursday.

Secretary’s Focus on Efficiency

During his campaign, Trump promised to close the department, characterizing it as being dominated by “radicals, zealots, and Marxists.” While McMahon acknowledged that only Congress can abolish the agency, she noted that it might require cuts and reorganization.

It remains uncertain whether these cuts will impact American students, a concern raised by Democrats and advocates. There are fears that the administration’s agenda may neglect crucial responsibilities of the agency, such as enforcing civil rights for students with disabilities and managing the substantial $1.6 trillion in federal student loans.

At her confirmation hearing, McMahon asserted that her goal is not to defund essential programs but to enhance their efficiency.

Even before the layoffs, the Education Department was one of the smallest Cabinet-level agencies, employing 3,100 individuals in Washington and an additional 1,100 in regional offices nationwide. Since Trump’s inauguration, department employees have faced mounting pressure to resign, initially through a deferred resignation program followed by a $25,000 buyout offer that expired on March 3. This offer was accompanied by warnings of impending “significant layoffs in the near future.”