Trump Administration Begins Dismantling US Education Department

Nearly half of the department's workforce is being laid off as President Trump moves toward fulfilling his campaign promise to eliminate the federal agency.

The US Department of Education announced the dismissal of nearly 50% of its employees, affecting approximately 2,000 staff members out of a total workforce of 4,100.
This move is described as the first step in President Trump's plan to abolish the department entirely, a goal he repeatedly emphasized during his election campaign.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon, appointed by Trump, has been directed to take all necessary actions to facilitate the department's closure, according to a draft executive order reported by the Wall Street Journal.
The administration plans to decentralize education policy, transferring authority from the federal government to individual states, while maintaining federally mandated programs such as student loans and special education funding.
Critics warn that the department's closure could undermine the enforcement of civil rights protections for students and disrupt the management of $1.6 trillion in federal student loans.