US Department of Education to cut half its staff as part of Trump downsizing

The U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to cut nearly half of its staff, a move that is part of President Donald Trump's ongoing efforts to reduce federal spending. This has raised concerns about the department's future operational capabilities, as the staff size will decrease from 4,133 when President Trump took office to 2,183 after the layoffs. These reductions will significantly impact the department's ability to carry out its responsibilities.

The Department of Education stated that these layoffs are part of its "ultimate mission," hinting at President Trump's previous promises to eliminate the agency. Education Secretary Linda McMahon also confirmed in an interview with Fox News that the layoffs were "the President's directive," aimed at gradually dismantling the Department of Education. This directive reflects a long-held desire to reduce the federal government's role in education.

Prior to announcing the layoffs, the Department of Education also issued an internal notice, ordering the closure of its Washington, D.C. area offices to employees from Tuesday evening to Wednesday. President Trump had pledged to close the Department of Education during his campaign, claiming that the department was controlled by "radicals, zealots, and Marxists." These closures signal a potential shift in the department's operations and priorities.

This large-scale reduction in force is being led by Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Other agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Social Security Administration, are also expected to face significant staff reductions. DOGE has already cut over 100,000 positions from the 2.3 million-member federal civil service, frozen most foreign aid, and canceled thousands of projects and contracts. However, these measures have also triggered dozens of lawsuits, highlighting the potential legal challenges associated with such drastic changes.

The union representing more than 2,800 Department of Education employees stated that it would fight these "draconian cuts." Sherrie Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, said, "The mass firings, the chaos, and the unbridled unprofessionalism of the past several weeks make it clear that this administration has no respect for the thousands of employees who have dedicated their lives to serving their fellow Americans." The union's resistance underscores the potential for conflict and disruption within the department.

Other agencies, such as the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Social Security Administration, and the Department of Health and Human Services (including the Food and Drug Administration), have offered employees who agree to leave lump-sum payments of up to $25,000 (A$39,700 before tax). Human resources experts say the appeal of buyout schemes is that they are voluntary and less susceptible to legal challenge. Don Moynihan, a professor of public policy at the University of Michigan, said that if the strategy is "to get as many people to leave voluntarily as possible," then buyouts "lower the risk of court orders and opposition." This approach aims to minimize legal challenges and facilitate a smoother transition.

Currently, only a few agencies have published plans for the second phase of layoffs, including the Department of Veterans Affairs, which plans to cut more than 80,000 employees, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which plans to cut 1,029 employees. Despite the approaching deadline, no agency has yet submitted its layoff plans to OPM, the government's human resources department. The lack of submitted plans suggests potential delays or complications in the implementation of these workforce reductions.