WASHINGTON, March 12 (Alliance News): The U.S. Department of Education has announced plans to lay off nearly half of its employees as part of government-wide budget cuts. The move is seen as a step toward possibly shutting down the department altogether.
The layoffs come under President Donald Trump’s cost-cutting campaign, which has already led to significant job reductions across federal agencies.
The department, which oversees student loans and education policies, will see its workforce shrink from 4,133 to 2,183 employees.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed the decision, stating it aligns with Trump’s mandate to streamline the government.
The layoffs will take effect on March 21, with employees placed on administrative leave.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has strongly opposed the move, calling it a “drastic” measure that undermines public education.
The union vowed to challenge the decision, warning of disruptions to education funding and civil rights enforcement.
Trump’s administration has defended the layoffs as necessary to cut wasteful spending. Critics, however, argue that reducing staff could weaken support for students and educators nationwide.
