Education Department Lays Off 1,300 Amid Cuts

Education Department Lays Off 1,300 Amid Cuts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Education Department is laying off more than 1,300 employees, cutting its workforce in half as part of President Trump’s effort to shrink the federal government. The department insists key functions, including student aid distribution, will continue. Critics, however, worry about impacts on civil rights enforcement and student loan management. Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the cuts will eliminate bureaucracy and shift authority to states.

Education Department Job Cuts Quick Looks

• Massive Workforce Reduction: Over 1,300 employees laid off, reducing staff by 50%.
• Trump’s Downsizing Agenda: Part of a larger effort to shrink the federal government.
• Office Closures: Leases for buildings in major cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago are being terminated.
• Key Functions at Risk: Concerns over impacts on student aid, civil rights enforcement, and loan management.
• Security Closure: The department’s offices were temporarily shut for “security reasons.”
• Political Divide: Supporters say cuts will empower states, while critics fear harm to students.

Deep Look

The U.S. Department of Education is undergoing a dramatic transformation as the Trump administration moves forward with its long-standing goal of significantly reducing the agency’s size. On Tuesday, department officials announced more than 1,300 layoffs, a move that will cut the agency’s workforce by 50%, leaving it with roughly 2,000 employees—down from the original 4,100.

This major downsizing aligns with President Donald Trump’s broader plan to shrink the federal government, with similar job cuts expected in agencies such as the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration. The move raises pressing questions about the Education Department’s ability to continue fulfilling its critical functions.

A Step Toward Eliminating the Education Department?

During his presidential campaigns, Trump vowed to abolish the Education Department, arguing that it had been taken over by “radicals, zealots, and Marxists.” While Secretary of Education Linda McMahon acknowledged during her Senate confirmation hearing that only Congress can dismantle the agency, she agreed that deep cuts and restructuring were necessary.

McMahon framed the layoffs as an effort to eliminate bureaucratic inefficiencies and direct more funding to local education authorities.

“So many of the programs are really excellent, so we need to make sure the money goes to the states,” McMahon said in an interview on Fox News.

In an internal March 3 memo, the day she was confirmed, McMahon warned employees that the department was bracing for “profound cuts” and that its “final mission” was to streamline operations and return power to the states.

How Will the Education Department Operate with Half Its Staff?

Despite losing half of its workforce, department officials insist that its core responsibilities will remain intact. These include:

• Distributing federal aid to schools
• Overseeing student loan programs
• Managing Pell Grants

However, skeptics argue that the agency will struggle to function with such a dramatically reduced staff, especially in areas that require highly specialized oversight, such as:

• Investigating civil rights violations in schools
• Helping students and families apply for financial aid
• Managing the nation’s $1.6 trillion in federal student loans

Roxanne Garza, former chief of staff in the Office of Postsecondary Education under President Joe Biden, expressed serious doubts.

“How those things will not be impacted with far fewer staff … I just don’t see it.”

She warned that labor-intensive tasks like investigating complaints and assisting students could face major slowdowns, potentially leaving many Americans without the education support they need.

Office Closures Across Major Cities

In addition to cutting jobs, the department is also terminating leases on buildings in several major cities, including:

• New York
• Boston
• Chicago
• Cleveland

The closures indicate an effort to centralize operations and reduce administrative costs. However, it’s unclear how this will affect students and educators who rely on regional offices for support.

Controversial Security Closure

Adding to the upheaval, the department shut down its Washington headquarters and regional offices on Wednesday, citing unspecified security reasons. Employees were told to stay away for the day, with operations expected to resume Thursday. The lack of transparency about the closure has fueled speculation about potential protests or internal dissent over the drastic cuts.

Mixed Reactions: A Necessary Reform or a Devastating Blow?

Supporters Applaud the Move

Conservative education advocates have long argued that the federal government should play a limited role in education policy, with state and local governments taking the lead.

Jeanne Allen, of the Center for Education Reform, praised the cuts as a step toward “ending incessant federal interference” and giving schools more autonomy.

“Ending incessant federal interference will free up state and local leaders to foster more opportunities to give schools and educators true flexibility and innovation to address the needs of students, wherever they are educated,” Allen said.

Critics Warn of Harm to Students

Opponents, including Democrats and education advocacy groups, argue that these drastic layoffs will severely weaken the department’s ability to serve students and families.

They point to concerns about:

• Reduced enforcement of civil rights protections for students with disabilities
• Weakened oversight of for-profit colleges and student loan servicers
• Potential delays in Pell Grant and federal loan processing

Education policy experts argue that deep cuts to staffing could make it harder for students to receive the financial aid they depend on. The layoffs also raise concerns about student loan borrowers struggling to access guidance and support.

Layoffs Follow Pressure for Employees to Quit

The mass layoffs follow months of efforts to encourage staff resignations. Trump administration officials offered buyouts of up to $25,000 per employee, which expired on March 3. Additionally, probationary employees were quietly let go over time.

According to department sources, workers had been under increasing pressure to leave voluntarily since Trump took office, signaling that the drastic cuts were long in the making.

What’s Next for the Education Department?

As the layoffs take effect, the future of the Education Department remains uncertain. While Trump’s goal of dismantling the agency entirely is unlikely without congressional approval, the drastic reductions signal a major shift in federal education policy.

With fewer employees and resources, the department will face intense scrutiny over its ability to:

• Enforce federal education laws
• Manage financial aid programs efficiently
• Uphold protections for disadvantaged students

For now, students, educators, and policymakers will be watching closely to see how these changes impact the nation’s education system.

More on US News

Education Department Lays