The layoffs of roughly 1,300 people were announced on Tuesday March 11, marking the “first step” in the “total shutdown” of the agency, said education secretary Linda McMahon.
In a statement, McMahon described the cuts as a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system”.
“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” she continued.
Speaking to Fox News later that day, McMahon confirmed that the layoffs were the “first step” to a total shutdown of the Department of Education (DOE) which was “the president’s mandate as directed to me clearly”.
The DOE said that impacted staff will be placed on administrative leave from March 21, leaving the department’s workforce at roughly half of its previous 4,100-strong workforce.
Democratic politicians were fast to condemn the cuts for “killing” the American dream, as House Representative Rosa DeLauro put it, highlighting the damaging impact on school children from working class American families.
What’s more, sector leaders have warned that Trump’s efforts to dismantle the DOE would “no doubt” undermine the “US commitment to international education”.
“We need a whole government approach, including the Departments of State, Education, Homeland Security, and Commerce working together to bolster (and not end) programs and fully leverage the power of international education,” said Presidents’ Alliance CEO Miriam Feldblum.
According to the agency, nearly 600 additional employees accepted voluntary resignation or retirement over the previous seven weeks.
The cuts have followed similar layoffs at other federal agencies as part of the Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency’s efforts to shrink the size of the federal government.
Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency
Linda McMahon, US Education Secretary
While the department has said it will continue delivering federal funding for schools and student loans – including Pell grants – it is unclear how these will be administered if McMahon delivers Trump’s mandate to dismantle the DOE.
Though Trump campaigned on a promise to dismantle the department, McMahon acknowledged that its full elimination would require Congressional approval.
As well as harming domestic students, families and communities, DOE grants “include some of the most important programs focused on preparing students for the global workforce and helping local business communities,” said Forum on Education Abroad president Melia Torres.
“The research, language, and area studies programs championed by the Department contribute to highly productive partnerships, cutting edge research, and increase the opportunities for American and international students to work together to solve complex problems that are critical to the planet and the next generation of global leaders,” Torres added.
The cuts follow a stream of government policies hampering US international education, including an ongoing funding freeze for study abroad programs including Fulbright and Gilman scholarships.
