Education Department Slashes Workforce as Trump Eyes Agency’s Future
The U.S. Department of Education is laying off nearly half of its staff as part of a sweeping effort by the Trump administration to shrink the federal government. The department announced that 1,315 employees would be cut, leaving 2,183 still employed. The affected workers will remain on paid leave until June 9th, after which they will receive severance or retirement benefits. Education Secretary Linda McMahon framed the cuts as a step toward "efficiency and accountability," but unions and education advocates condemned them as a reckless attack on public education.
The layoffs come amid speculation that Trump may sign an executive order to dismantle the department altogether, shifting its responsibilities to state governments. While the department reassured the public that critical programs like student loans and Pell Grants would continue, employees are bracing for more instability. An internal email described the cuts as the agency’s "final mission," echoing Trump’s long-standing goal of eliminating the department. Offices in several major cities will be shut down, and three Washington, D.C. buildings will be consolidated.
Trump's push to downsize the federal workforce has been driven in part by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk. The initiative has already slashed over 100,000 jobs across various agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. While Trump recently told department heads they—not Musk—have the final say on layoffs, lawsuits challenging the administration’s cuts are mounting. Critics warn that gutting the Education Department could throw federal education programs into chaos, leaving students, parents, and teachers without critical support.
