On Tuesday, the Trump administration executed a large-scale reduction in the workforce at
the Department of Education, resulting in the termination of more than 1,300 employees. This drastic action followed a foreboding notice sent to all staff members, instructing them not to report to work. The announcement came as a shock to many within the department,
though it was part of a broader strategy to significantly downsize the agency.
A senior official within the Department of Education confirmed the administration’s intentions, stating, “Today, we are beginning the process to cut the total number of staff at the Department of Education roughly in half.” As part of this initiative, a total of 1,315 employees were formally laid off under what is known as the “reduction in force” process.
The official further explained that the downsizing had been in motion for some time, with approximately 600 employees having already departed voluntarily through programs such as the federal Deferred Resignation Program. Additionally, a separate departmental buyout initiative had been offered earlier in the month to encourage voluntary exits. The administration emphasized that the decision was part of an effort to “streamline” the department and reduce unnecessary government operations.
“We are focusing on eliminating full teams whose operations are either redundant or not necessary for the functioning of the department,” the official elaborated. As a result, 131 entire teams within the department will be dismantled, leading to significant structural changes in the agency.
Employees receiving termination notices have been assured that they will continue to receive their full salaries and benefits for 90 days following the layoffs. Additionally, severance packages will be provided, with compensation calculated based on tenure. Those who have served for up to 10 years will receive one week’s salary for each year of service, while those with more than 10 years of tenure will receive two weeks of salary for each additional year beyond the first decade of employment.
The transition plan includes a phase-out process, during which the terminated employees will be required to wrap up their responsibilities by Friday, March 21st. After this period, they will be placed on paid administrative leave until the reduction in force is fully implemented.
“We’re going to have these folks roll over their responsibilities by March 21st,” the official explained. “After that, they will be on administrative leave until the process is finalized. From tomorrow until March 21st, all affected employees will be required to telework. This is being done to ensure the safety and protection of the 2,183 employees who will remain with the department after the restructuring is complete.”
The administration justified the cuts by pointing to concerns over the department’s effectiveness. The official cited the fact that, despite the Department of Education overseeing more than $1 trillion in federal spending since its inception, student test scores have continued to decline.
“We have an incredible leader in Secretary [Linda] McMahon,” the official said, referring to the department’s head. “She has successfully built and managed a multibillion-dollar global business and has experience handling major restructuring efforts. This effort is being conducted with a strong focus on improving education, cutting excessive bureaucracy, and returning power to the states to manage their own education systems.”
Earlier in the day, staff members working in the Department of Education’s Washington, D.C., offices were informed that their buildings would be closed on Wednesday due to security concerns. Reports of imminent mass layoffs had already been circulating, adding to the unease among employees.
An email from James Hairfield, an official in the department’s Office of Security, Facilities, and Logistics, instructed staff that “Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12th, for any reason.” Hairfield, who had previously been involved in preventing House Democrats from attempting to enter the DOE building last month amid concerns about Department of Government Accountability (DOGE) staffers working undercover, also advised employees to take their laptops home when leaving the office on Tuesday.
The layoffs are in line with a promise President Trump made on the campaign trail to significantly reduce the size of the Department of Education. In December, he told Time magazine that his goal was to achieve at least a “virtual closure” of the agency.
A White House official confirmed last month that the president was actively reassessing the future of the Department of Education, as he favors shifting more responsibility for education policy to the state level. Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that President Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary actions to “facilitate the closure of the Education Department” to the extent permitted by law.
Completely dismantling the Department of Education would require congressional approval, including securing at least 60 votes in the Senate. While the administration’s plans for the department remain a subject of intense debate, the recent wave of layoffs marks a significant step in its ongoing efforts to overhaul the federal government’s role in education policy.
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