Department of Education Staff Instructed to Leave Amid Closure Rumors

Washington, D.C. — Staff at the Department of Education received a notice on Tuesday directing them to vacate the premises by 6 p.m. local time. The notification indicated that all department offices in Washington, D.C., and regional locations would remain closed on Wednesday for security reasons, according to an email obtained by CBS News.

The communication, sent by James Hairfield from the Office of Security, Facilities and Logistics, instructed employees with approved telework agreements to work from home on Wednesday. Staff were also advised to take their laptops home when leaving the office on Tuesday. The email explicitly stated, “Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason.” It added that facilities would reopen on Thursday, at which point in-person attendance would resume.

The closure notice comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the Department of Education, particularly regarding President Trump‘s potential plans to dismantle the agency. Trump has tasked Education Secretary Linda McMahon with initiating the process to disband the department, although the timeline for this action remains unclear.

In a letter to staff sent earlier this month, McMahon addressed the department’s future with a subject line reading, “Our Department’s Final Mission.” She emphasized the significant changes voters sought through the election of President Trump. “The reality of our education system is stark, and the American people have elected President Trump to make significant changes in Washington,” McMahon wrote. “Our job is to respect the will of the American people and the President they elected, who has tasked us with accomplishing the elimination of bureaucratic bloat here at the Department of Education — a momentous final mission — quickly and responsibly.”

McMahon underscored the chance to deliver one last substantial service to future generations of students. “I hope you will join me in ensuring that when our final mission is complete, we will be able to say that we left American education freer, stronger, and with more hope for the future,” she stated.

Dissolving the Department of Education would require congressional approval and faces significant legislative challenges, including a need for 60 votes in the Senate to advance such a proposal.

This situation continues to develop as the department navigates its uncertain future.