(VitalNews.org) – Cutting thousands of positions in a decisive move to streamline government operations, the Trump administration slashed half the Department of Education’s workforce this week,.
The reduction, which will affect nearly 2,100 employees starting March 21, 2025, fulfills a campaign promise to eliminate waste and bureaucracy in the federal education system.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that essential services for students would remain intact despite the massive cuts.
The Department of Education workforce will be reduced from 4,133 to around 2,183, with 1,300 employees receiving termination notices and 572 accepting buyouts.
The cuts are part of President Donald Trump’s broader plan for “large-scale reductions in force” across federal departments as he works to trim government bloat that has grown unchecked for decades.
Secretary McMahon made it clear that the reduction is about redirecting resources to where they truly matter.
“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 stated in an official announcement.
Conservatives have long anticipated the move, citing the department’s overreach into local education matters.
Despite liberal outcry, McMahon confirmed that critical functions like federal student loans, Pell Grants, and funding for students with disabilities will continue without interruption, proving that a leaner department can still deliver essential services.
Established in 1979 under President Jimmy Carter, the Department of Education has grown into a bureaucratic behemoth with an annual budget of approximately $238 billion.
Critics have long questioned whether this massive federal apparatus actually improves education outcomes, particularly when only about 13% of funding for primary and secondary schools comes from federal sources.
“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system,” Secretary McMahon added.
Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) plays a key role in driving these cuts.
DOGE is working to eliminate what President Trump has consistently called “waste, fraud, and abuse” in government operations.
The workforce reduction aligns with the president’s campaign promise to address the department’s role in “indoctrinating young people with inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material.”
While congressional Democrats and teachers’ unions have predictably condemned the cuts, many conservative groups have applauded the move as long overdue.
The affected employees will receive normal pay and benefits until June 9, along with severance or retirement pay, ensuring a fair transition despite the necessary cuts.
The White House is reportedly considering additional executive orders to further reduce the department’s functions.
The move is a stepping stone toward President Trump’s ultimate goal of returning education control to the states and local communities where it belongs.
This workforce reduction marks just the beginning of the president’s ambitious plan to dramatically reshape how the federal government approaches education policy.
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