Trump to End Education Department with Mass Layoffs

In a historic move, President Donald Trump has commenced mass layoffs within the U.S. Department of Education, aligning with his longstanding objective to diminish federal involvement in local education.

The department has announced the termination of over 1,300 employees, effectively halving its 4,000-person workforce.

Photo by Jacquelyn Martin from Associated Press

Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed that these layoffs are the initial phase toward the complete dissolution of the department. She emphasized that the restructuring aims to eliminate bureaucratic excess, ensuring that educational funds are more directly allocated to states. McMahon assured that essential services, including Pell Grants and student loans, will remain unaffected during this transition.

She said (in an interview to Fox News):

“That was the president’s mandate, his directive to me clearly is to shut down the Department of Education.” 

Critics, including educators and officials, express concern that such substantial cuts could adversely impact federal education programs and student services. The American Federation of Teachers has voiced apprehension that these reductions may hinder support for low-income communities and compromise civil rights protections against discrimination.

In Connecticut, where Linda McMahon was recently appointed as Education Secretary, the downsizing raises alarms about potential reductions in federal funding.

Key programs, such as Title I grants for low-income students and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which provide significant funds to the state, may face cuts.

This could affect programs for marginalized groups, including rural and immigrant children, and lead to layoffs within the department of education (DOE), disrupting oversight and funding distribution.

Steven Hernandez, executive director of ConnCAN, a statewide education advocacy organization said:

"This is a real pressure point now - the dismantling of a department that stewards some of the most important federal resources for some of our most vulnerable children,"

While the administration is preparing an executive order to initiate the department's closure, legal experts note that abolishing a federal department requires congressional approval, and President Donald Trump can't just sign an executive order to do so.

Given the current political landscape, achieving the necessary support for such moves poses a significant challenge. However, as we have seen, things are moving too fast, and this could also help with DOE closure.

The future of the U.S. Department of Education remains uncertain as the administration proceeds with its plans, prompting ongoing debates about the federal government's role in shaping educational policy nationwide.