The US Education Department is preparing to lay off over 1,300 employees as part of a strategy to reduce its workforce by half, aligning with President Donald Trump's initiative to dismantle the agency. Officials announced these layoffs on Tuesday, prompting concerns about the department's ability to continue essential operations.
After the cuts, the department's staff will decrease from approximately 4,100 to around 2,050. This downsizing is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to shrink the federal government, with similar job cuts expected in the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration.
In addition to layoffs, the Education Department is terminating leases on buildings in major cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago. Despite these changes, officials claim that key functions, such as distributing federal aid to schools and managing student loans, will continue.
Department head McMahon, in a memo issued shortly after her confirmation, warned employees to prepare for significant cuts, emphasizing the need to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies and transfer authority to state governments. An email to staff announced the temporary closure of the Washington headquarters and regional offices due to unspecified "security reasons."
Trump has long campaigned to abolish the Education Department, criticizing it for being influenced by "radicals." While McMahon acknowledged that only Congress can eliminate the agency, she suggested it could benefit from cuts and reorganization.
Concerns remain about the potential impact of these layoffs on students, particularly regarding civil rights enforcement and the management of US$1.6 trillion in federal student loans. Advocates have expressed skepticism about the department's ability to function effectively with significantly fewer staff, especially in labor-intensive areas. Meanwhile, supporters of educational reform argue that reducing federal oversight will empower state and local leaders to better address educational needs.
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