Massive Education Department Cuts Slash Workforce in Half
Another brick in the wall...
The U.S. Department of Education is undergoing a dramatic downsizing, with over 1,900 employees set to depart, in line with President Donald Trump’s long-stated goal of eliminating the agency. On Tuesday, department officials announced 1,315 layoffs alongside nearly 600 voluntary departures, cutting the department’s workforce from 4,133 employees to fewer than 2,200.
Despite the drastic reductions, officials insist that critical functions—such as student loan services, school grant distribution, and civil rights enforcement—will remain intact. Yeah, right.
A senior department official defended the move, arguing the agency had “failed to deliver on its mission” and that the cuts would support Trump's broader goal of "returning education to the states."
However, the specific benefits for state and local school districts—already responsible for public education—remain unclear. Employees were abruptly informed that headquarters and regional offices would be closed from Tuesday at 6 p.m. through Wednesday, requiring remote work. Those affected by layoffs must continue working remotely until March 21, when their employment officially ends, with severance pay based on tenure.
Source: WaPo