Already a subscriber? Make sure to log into your account before viewing this content. You can access your account by hitting the “login” button on the top right corner. Still unable to see the content after signing in? Make sure your card on file is up-to-date.
The Department of Education is moving forward with a massive workforce reduction, laying off nearly half of its employees as part of President Trump’s broader plan to shrink the federal government’s role in education.
Some shit you should know before you read: Before winning his second election, President Trump campaigned on a promise to eliminate the Department of Education, arguing that it was an unnecessary bureaucracy that wasted taxpayer money and imposed federal overreach on local schools. He repeatedly claimed that the department had been infiltrated by “radicals and marxists” who were pushing an ideological agenda rather than focusing on academic excellence. Trump insisted that education policy should be controlled by states and local communities rather than by the federal government. He also blamed the department for declining student performance, arguing that federal intervention had led to inefficiency, ballooning costs, and lower test scores.
What’s going on now: In an announcement, the Department of Education confirmed it was cutting roughly 1,300 employees—nearly half of its workforce—reducing the total staff to around 2,183. The layoffs represent one of the largest workforce reductions in the department’s history and a major step in the Trump administration’s effort to scale down federal involvement in education. The department also plans to consolidate offices in Washington, DC, and close regional locations in cities like San Francisco, New York, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, and Cleveland.
The job cuts impact a wide range of positions across the department, including administrative staff, policy analysts, and support teams in multiple offices. While the administration claims that key functions like student loan processing, special education services, and civil rights enforcement will not be impacted, critics argue that such a significant staff reduction will inevitably disrupt operations.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the move as necessary to eliminate “bureaucratic bloat,” stating that the department was prioritizing efficiency and ensuring resources were directed toward students, parents, and teachers. She added, “I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”
