The federal Education Department released a statement on Tuesday announcing deep cuts at the agency, reducing its staff by nearly 50%, from roughly 4,133 workers to 2,193. The statement said that over 500 of the staff roles reduced at the department were “employees who accepted voluntary resignation opportunities and retirement over the last seven weeks.” The ED will also be closing its Washington headquarters and regional offices on Wednesday due to “security reasons,” according to an email sent to employees.
“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,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in the statement. “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.”
Linda McMahon has no professional background in education, having founded the World Wrestling Federation with her husband Vince and run the Small Business Administration under President Trump in his first term. She was appointed to the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009, but served for only one year, resigning after it was revealed that she lied on her questionnaire to get the job, claiming her college degree was in education when she actually had studied French.
One of the most important functions of the ED, beyond grants and funding of various kinds for students across the country at all levels, is its data collection in order to improve outcomes and efficiency – a goal that Trump and his closely-held adviser Elon Musk have claimed to champion, yet a number of such programs are already being cut. “We want to work with this administration and address some of the challenges that exist,” Rachel Dinkes, CEO of an education research firm, told Education Week. “Halting some of this essential work and progress with no action plan for improvement is going to be hugely detrimental.”
Since taking office, President Trump has made no secret of his disdain for the ED, having called it a “con job” and openly advocated for shutting it down entirely. “I told Linda, ‘Linda, I hope you do a great job and put yourself out of a job,'” President Trump said while signing executive orders from the Oval Office in February. Today’s statement from the ED also referred to the reductions in staff as its “final mission.”
A Marist Poll dated March 3rd found that 63% of U.S. residents either oppose or strongly oppose getting rid of the U.S. Department of Education.
