Education Department Faces Major Staff Cuts Amid Trump’s Abolishment Push

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced on Tuesday that nearly half of the staff at the Department of Education would receive “reduction in force” notices as part of President Donald Trump’s initiative to abolish the department. Sources confirmed that employees were instructed to leave their offices by 6 p.m. Eastern Time due to security concerns.

McMahon’s announcement and the impending layoffs stem from the Trump administration‘s ongoing campaign to shift control of education back to the states. Trump has long advocated for limited federal involvement in educational systems, positioning this initiative as a key aspect of his 2024 election platform.

“I want to close up the Department of Education and move education back to the states,” Trump stated in August, while acknowledging that some states, particularly those governed by progressive policies, may face challenges in the aftermath of such a drastic change.

According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Trump is preparing to sign an executive order directing McMahon to take “all necessary steps” to facilitate the closure of the Education Department. The draft order cites the failure of federal education programs to meet the needs of children and families.

In her first communication to staff, McMahon described the mission to return education authority to local states as a “momentous final mission.” She emphasized the goal of reducing bureaucratic inefficiencies within the department. In a letter shared with Fox News Digital, McMahon stated, “Our job is to respect the will of the American people, who have elected a president committed to eliminating bureaucratic bloat here at the Department of Education.”

The anticipated staff reductions come amid broader layoffs across various government agencies, reportedly linked to Trump’s push for budget cuts ranging from 30% to 40% in several sectors. The Department of Education’s cuts are expected to profoundly impact budgets and agency operations, marking a significant shift in the federal role in education.

As part of this restructuring, speculation continues regarding the exact number of federal workers affected by reduction plans. McMahon noted that these changes would require careful consideration and prompt execution to minimize disruption.

The federal government’s significant layoffs have drawn scrutiny, with implications for workers’ rights and adherence to labor protocols. Federal regulations dictate that mass layoffs require 60 days’ notice and must eliminate positions entirely rather than replacing employees.

As the Trump administration presses forward with these reforms, discussions among lawmakers about the implications of such sweeping changes in education policy are intensifying. With numerous other Departments also facing cuts, concerns about the future operations of federal programs and their impacts on local communities continue to mount.