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Government Corruption
Department of Education will begin sweeping layoffs tonight with about half of its 4,400 employees expected to be let go
2025-03-12
[PUBLISH.TWITTER] A solid start.

The US Education Department announced that it is cutting nearly 50% of its workforce, according to senior agency officials, as President Donald Trump has proposed eliminated the agency altogether.

Hundreds will be laid off starting this evening in addition to those who took voluntary “buyouts.” The department employs around 4,400 workers.

The layoffs will take effect in 90 days. Those fired will begin teleworking starting Wednesday and go on paid administrative leave starting March 21, according to the officials, who added that the employees will receive severance pay.

The cuts are in addition to the 63 probationary employees who were fired as part of a White House directive last month, the officials added. More than 300 employees also took an up to $25,000 voluntary separation incentives.

“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,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
Some background: Trump has been mulling over an executive order to eliminate the department altogether, which was expected to be signed last week but was never announced.
Courtesy of Skidmark, Fox News adds:
Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said the roughly 2,000 remaining staff members will make sure outward-facing programs like grants and appropriations from Congress are being met and handled appropriately.

"None of that’s going to fall through the cracks," she vowed.

Education Department starts massive layoffs for half of ALL staff
[Daily Mail, where America gets its news] The Department of Education temporarily closed all its offices in the Washington, D.C., area for 'security' reasons amid reports it is slashing half its workforce in cuts driven by Elon Musk's DOGE.

Offices closed at 6PM on Tuesday, according to a notice to employees sent by James Hairfield, from the office of security, facilities and logistics at the department.

The email notified all workers to bring their work laptops from the office and work from home starting Wednesday, March 12.

'Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12 for any reason,' the email read.

A Department of Education spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

McMahon was asked about the buildings closing in an interview with Laura Ingraham Tuesday night.

'We didn't want part of people being permanently let go and those remaining to all - some of them to show up work tomorrow morning,' she said.

Both McMahon and Ingraham noted that this was 'standard corporate practice.'

'We lock the doors and said for those that are coming back we'll know that they will be coming back on Thursday morning.'

There will be a chance for those let go to come back and take personal affects, as well as 'say goodbye' to one another.

The Department of Education currently employs over 4,000 employees and has a budget of $80 billion. The most significant function handled by the department is student loans, which could be shifted to the Treasury Department.

On Friday, McMahon also said she would continue to work with Congress to make sure students would still receive student loan assistance.

'This is not a turn off the lights and walk out of the department,' she told NewsNation in an interview.

'It's in close consultation with Congress and looking at how the needs of students can best be serviced.'
Related:
Department of Education: 2025-03-10 Trans activists storm NYC schools meeting, dance ''Macarena'' to protest support of female athletes
Department of Education: 2025-03-06 RUMINT? Trump to tear down America's education system in just hours with bombshell executive order targeting the DOE
Department of Education: 2025-03-05 Trump threatens to cut federal funds for universities that allow ‘illegal protests’
Posted by:Fred

#9  They can’t math over there in the education department. Lay off 8000 and see if they notice the difference
Posted by: Airandee   2025-03-12 14:13  

#8  Carter's dead, now bury his works.
Posted by: ed in texas   2025-03-12 11:40  

#7  Good start
Posted by: DarthVader   2025-03-12 10:24  

#6  Reduce it down to a single employee. Some Pa Kettle looking individual with an old upright phone with a single line and an empty desk. Ok, maybe a coffee maker for the old boy, but that's it.
Posted by: Cesare   2025-03-12 08:50  

#5  Was promised total elimination. Nothing less will do.
Posted by: Angstrom   2025-03-12 08:08  

#4  Given the record of decline of student performance since its inception, it's long over due. Results finally matter.
Posted by: Procopius2k   2025-03-12 07:20  

#3  "US Education Department announced that it is cutting nearly 50% of its workforce..."

Question: Out of 4,400+/- personnel, how many are N.E.A. supporters, members or even held a Teaching Cert.?

Posted by: NN2N1   2025-03-12 06:01  

#2  What about all the functionally illiterate teachers?
Posted by: Grom the Affective   2025-03-12 03:41  

#1  Randi Weingarten 'really angry' over Ed Dept elimination months after saying union members 'don't really care'
Posted by: Skidmark   2025-03-12 00:08  

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