The U.S. Department of Education announced on Tuesday that it will lay off nearly half its workforce, a move that could signal the agency’s eventual closure as federal departments scramble to comply with President Donald Trump’s mandate for mass layoffs.
In a press release, the department described the terminations as part of its “final mission,” referencing Trump’s longstanding pledge to eliminate the agency. The department currently oversees $1.6 trillion in student loans, enforces civil rights protections in schools, and provides federal funding for underprivileged districts.
When asked on Fox News whether these cuts would lead to the department’s dismantling, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon confirmed, “Yes, that was the president’s mandate.” The layoffs will reduce staff to 2,183 employees, down from 4,133 at the start of Trump’s term in January.
Prior to the announcement, the agency ordered its Washington-area offices closed from Tuesday evening through Wednesday, citing unspecified security concerns. An Education Department spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about the closure.
Similar agency shutdowns have preceded the closures of the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
Government-Wide Layoffs Under Trump’s Cost-Cutting Plan
The cuts are part of Trump’s broader effort to shrink the federal government, spearheaded by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The agency has already slashed more than 100,000 jobs across the federal civilian workforce, frozen most foreign aid, and canceled thousands of programs and contracts—moves that have sparked multiple legal challenges.
While Trump recently told department heads that they, not Musk, have the final say on staffing decisions, the administration remains committed to deep budget cuts. All federal agencies have been ordered to submit large-scale layoff plans by Thursday, and some have begun offering early retirement incentives to meet Trump’s targets.
Union Opposition and Next Steps
Affected Education Department employees will be placed on administrative leave beginning March 21. The union representing over 2,800 department workers has vowed to fight the “draconian cuts,” raising concerns about the impact on education policy and student support services nationwide.
As Trump’s cost-cutting campaign advances, federal agencies brace for further reductions, with layoffs expected to accelerate in the coming weeks.
