Chicago – March 12, 2025
The U.S. Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it will lay off nearly half of its workers. This could be the first step toward shutting down the department completely. The cuts are part of President Donald Trump’s plan to reduce the size of the government.
In a press release, the department called this its “final mission,” referring to Trump’s promise to eliminate the agency. The department manages $1.6 trillion in student loans, enforces school civil rights laws, and helps fund schools in need.
When asked on Fox News if these job cuts would lead to the department closing, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said “yes,” adding that it was “the president’s mandate.” The layoffs will reduce staff from 4,133 workers when Trump took office to 2,183.
Before the announcement, the department told employees in Washington, D.C., to stay home from Tuesday night through Wednesday. It did not explain why the offices were closed.
The layoffs are part of Trump’s bigger plan to shrink the government. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by billionaire Elon Musk, has already cut more than 100,000 federal jobs. It has also frozen most foreign aid and canceled thousands of government programs and contracts, though many lawsuits are challenging these moves.
Some White House officials and Republican lawmakers are unhappy with DOGE’s aggressive cuts, and many have faced upset voters at town hall meetings. Last week, Trump reminded government leaders that they—not Musk—have the final say on job cuts.
The Education Department said affected workers will go on administrative leave starting March 21. The workers’ union, which represents over 2,800 employees, promised to fight against what it called “drastic cuts.”
