The Department of Education is undergoing a historic shake-up, as nearly half its workforce is being cut, marking a major step toward decentralizing American education. Fox News Digital has confirmed that staff will receive “reduction in force” notices Tuesday, with over 1,900 employees set to be terminated as part of the Trump administration’s long-promised effort to return education control to the states.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon made it clear that this move is not just about budget cuts—it’s about fundamental reform. In a statement, she called it a “significant step toward restoring the greatness” of American education, ensuring that resources go where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.
In anticipation of the layoffs, a memo went out Tuesday closing all Department of Education offices due to “security reasons.” Employees were told to leave by 6 p.m. ET—an unmistakable signal that this is not business as usual.
The restructuring will affect every division within the department, with some undergoing major reorganization as part of an effort to dismantle bureaucratic inefficiency.
This move is right in line with President Trump’s education vision, which has always emphasized state control over education. During his 2024 campaign, Trump repeatedly promised to shrink or eliminate the Department of Education entirely.
“I want to close up Department of Education, move education back to the states,” he said in August 2024, predicting that 35 states would thrive under local control, while others—like deep-blue California—might struggle.
The numbers speak for themselves:
- When Trump took office, the Department of Education had 4,133 employees.
- Now, it’s being cut down to just 2,183 workers.
- 259 employees opted for deferred resignation, and another 313 accepted buyouts.
- Those laid off will receive full pay and benefits through June 9, plus severance or retirement packages.
The timing of these cuts is raising speculation about the administration’s ultimate goal: shutting down the Department of Education entirely.
Just days ago, The Wall Street Journal reported on a draft executive order under consideration, which would instruct McMahon to “take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure” of the agency “to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law.”
The draft order reportedly states:
“The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars — and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support — has failed our children, our teachers, and our families.”
This aligns perfectly with McMahon’s first-day message to department employees, in which she framed her role as overseeing the department’s “momentous final mission.”
“Our job is to respect the will of the American people and the President they elected, who has tasked us with accomplishing the elimination of bureaucratic bloat here at the Department of Education — a momentous final mission — quickly and responsibly,” she wrote.
