US Education Department to lay off nearly half its workforce
What's the story
The US Department of Education has announced a drastic downsizing, laying off nearly half of its employees. This comes in line with President Donald Trump's proposal to eliminate the agency altogether.
Layoffs will start immediately, reducing the department's workforce of about 4,100 at the start of the Trump administration by 50%.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the action reflected the department's commitment to efficiency and accountability.
Agency closure
McMahon confirmed layoffs are 1st step toward agency's closure
McMahon confirmed these layoffs are the first step toward a potential closure of the department, a move promised by Trump.
She, however, acknowledged that the department cannot be fully disbanded without Congressional action.
When asked if these layoffs were "the first step to a total shutdown," McMahon told Fox News, "Yes, actually it is, because that was the president's mandate as directed to me clearly is to shut down the Department of Education."
Employee impact
Affected employees will receive severance pay
About 1,300 employees have been informed of their layoffs and will be let go in 90 days. They will begin teleworking from Wednesday and go on paid administrative leave starting March 21.
They will receive severance pay according to their length of service.
This comes after 63 probationary employees were terminated last month under a White House directive, as part of Trump and the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency's ongoing efforts to shrink the size of the federal government.
Aid assurance
Education Department assures federal student aid will not be affected
The Education Department has assured that these cuts won't affect federal student aid "in any way, shape or form."
Neal McCluskey, Director, Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, said, "If [Trump] says, 'We're going to have a 50% reduction in staff,' there is reason to be concerned about how the system will work: Is that enough people?"
Senior agency officials disclosed that an earlier memo asking employees to work remotely until Thursday was due to the layoffs.
Office closure
Education Department's headquarters in Washington, DC was vacated
Per CNN, the department's headquarters in Washington, DC was cleared moments before employees had to exit the building.
Security guards were seen locking up the doors of the Department of Education headquarters. Offices are expected to reopen on Thursday.
All US federal departments have also been directed to create comprehensive layoff plans by Thursday.
To meet Trump's demand, several agencies have offered early retirement compensation to employees.