After news spread of the Education Department cutting half of its workforce, we now know just how many people lost their jobs in the massive layoff on Tuesday.
The department let go of 1,315 workers, cutting the agency’s workforce nearly in half within the first two months of Donald Trump’s second term. In addition, 572 employees accepted separation packages, and 63 probationary workers were let go last month.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended the cuts, stating, “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.” Senator Bill Cassidy, Republican of Louisiana, assured that the layoffs would not impact the department’s “ability to carry out its statutory obligations.”
However, union leaders strongly opposed the move. Sheria Smith, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, condemned the administration, saying it had “no respect for the thousands of workers who have dedicated their careers to serve their fellow Americans.” Becky Pringle, president of the National Education Association, warned that “the real victims will be our most vulnerable students.”
The Office of Civil Rights faced particularly deep cuts, leaving regional centers in New York, San Francisco, and Boston severely understaffed. Amid rising concerns, McMahon confirmed that Trump planned to sign an executive order to dismantle the department, though legal challenges remain.
Former employees gathered outside the department’s headquarters in protest, some waving to colleagues still inside. “We will not stand idly by,” Smith declared. As Trump pushes ahead, the future of federal education oversight remains uncertain.
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