The U.S. Department of Education will lay off nearly 50% of its employees. The Trump administration aims to reduce the federal government’s size. Around 2,100 employees will lose their jobs starting March 21.

Trump’s Push to Shrink the Department

US President Donald Trump has long wanted to eliminate the Department of Education. Many conservatives support this idea. However, shutting it down requires Congress’s approval.

The department has a $238 billion (£188 billion) budget and employs over 4,000 people. It was created in 1979 to manage school funding, oversee student loans, and support low-income students. However, states and local governments control schools and curricula. The federal government only provides about 13% of primary and secondary school funding.

Mass Layoffs and Employee Support

On Tuesday, Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced the layoffs. “As part of the Department of Education’s final mission, the department today initiated a reduction in force impacting nearly 50% of the department’s workforce,” she said. She added that the cuts will “better serve students, parents, educators, and taxpayers.”

When Trump took office, the department had 4,133 employees, the smallest among all cabinet-level agencies. After the layoffs, 2,183 workers will remain. Some employees had already retired or taken voluntary buyouts earlier this year.

Affected employees will receive pay and benefits until June 9. They will also get severance packages or retirement pay based on their service.

Essential Programs Will Continue

The department assured that key programs will not stop. It will continue to handle student loans, Pell Grants, special education funding, and competitive grants. An internal email stated, “The Department of Education will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview.”

Possible Executive Order and Legal Challenges

Reports suggest Trump may sign an executive order targeting the department. However, he has not taken action yet. Many of his past executive orders have faced legal battles. This one could face similar challenges.

Trump’s administration has already cut staff in multiple agencies. The Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), led by Elon Musk, has overseen major reductions. It has placed deputies in key positions and gathered government data. However, several lawsuits have challenged Doge’s actions.

Republican Efforts to Eliminate the Department

For decades, Republicans have tried to shut down the Department of Education. Ronald Reagan proposed this in 1980. No administration has succeeded. Closing the department requires Congress’s approval. Trump would need Democratic support, which is unlikely.

Many conservatives believe states should control education. Recently, Trump has accused the department of promoting a “woke agenda.” He claims it pushes “inappropriate racial, sexual, and political material” on students.

Strong Opposition from Education Leaders

The American Federation of Teachers strongly opposes the layoffs. The union’s president, Randi Weingarten, called the move a major setback.

“The massive reduction in force at the Education Department is an attack on opportunity that will gut the agency and its ability to support students, throwing federal education programs into chaos across the country,” she said.

She urged Congress and the courts to intervene.