Shutdown: U.S. Department of Education Orders Staff to Vacate Amid Massive Layoffs
U.S. Department of Education employees were instructed to leave their offices by 6 PM, signaling a major step toward the department's potential dissolution.
Nearly half of the department’s workforce—over 1,300 employees—faces layoffs, as the Trump administration moves to fulfill a campaign promise to dismantle the agency.
In a dramatic and unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Education has ordered its employees to vacate their offices by 6 PM, marking a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s campaign promise to dismantle the agency. This sudden directive, confirmed by Education Secretary Linda McMahon, aligns with reports of massive layoffs that will cut nearly half of the department’s workforce—approximately 1,315 employees—leaving the agency’s future hanging in the balance.
The layoffs, part of a broader reduction-in-force initiative, come as the department continues to operate critical programs such as student loans and Pell Grants, which support low-income students. According to recent announcements, the cuts affect all divisions within the department, with an additional 600 employees having already accepted voluntary resignations or retired over the past two months. This downsizing reflects the administration’s intent to shrink the federal bureaucracy and shift education policy responsibilities back to individual states, a long-standing goal among conservatives.
The U.S. Department of Education, established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, has long been a target for Republican criticism. Critics argue that the agency overreaches by centralizing education policy, imposing what they describe as “woke” ideologies on schools, particularly regarding issues of gender and race. President Trump and his allies have accused the department of “indoctrinating” students, fueling calls for its elimination. While only Congress has the authority to abolish the department outright—requiring a challenging supermajority in the Senate—the administration is pursuing executive actions to wind down its operations, as outlined in draft orders reported by major news outlets.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a former wrestling executive and Trump ally, now faces the paradoxical task of overseeing the department while simultaneously working toward its potential closure. At her confirmation hearing, McMahon emphasized maintaining essential programs like Title I funding and Pell Grants, but her role has been framed as leading the agency’s gradual dissolution. The administration’s actions, including cutting contracts through initiatives like the “Department of Government Efficiency” led by Elon Musk, underscore a aggressive push to reshape federal education policy.
The layoffs and office evacuation have sparked mixed reactions. Supporters view it as a victory for reducing federal overreach and returning control to states, while critics warn of the potential disruption to vital services, including civil rights protections for students and funding for schools serving disadvantaged communities. Union representatives, such as those from AFGE Local 252, have vowed to fight the cuts, urging public opposition to what they call “draconian” measures.
As the department prepares for further reorganization plans due to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget and the Office of Personnel Management, the fate of the U.S. Department of Education remains uncertain. With federal funds accounting for only about 14% of public school budgets—most of which come from state and local sources—the debate over its role continues to divide policymakers and the public. For now, the abrupt order to vacate offices stands as a stark symbol of the administration’s bold vision to redefine education in America.