Trump Administration Cuts Education Department Workforce by Half

The sweeping layoffs align with President Trump's push to reduce federal government size and potentially dismantle the Department of Education.

The Department of Education announced it will reduce its workforce by nearly 50%, leaving approximately 2,183 employees from an initial 4,133 in January 2017.
The layoffs are part of President Donald Trump's broader effort to downsize federal agencies and transfer education oversight to states and local authorities.
Critics warn that the cuts could disrupt key functions, including managing $1.6 trillion in federal student loans and enforcing civil rights protections in schools.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated the layoffs aim to eliminate inefficiency, but advocates and unions argue the reductions jeopardize essential services for students and families.
The administration has floated the idea of transferring student loan management to other federal departments, raising concerns about increased reliance on private lenders.