The U.S. Department of Education has issued a striking ultimatum to its employees: resign by Monday night and receive a $25,000 cash payout—or risk being part of a significant round of layoffs in the near future.
An internal email sent to department staffers on Friday, first reported by Politico, outlined the offer and the looming cuts. Jacqueline Clay, the department’s chief human capital officer, made it clear that this was a “one-time offer” as part of what she described as a “very significant Reduction in Force” (RIF). Employees have until 11:59 p.m. Monday to decide whether to take the deal.
“This is the equivalent of severance pay or $25,000, whichever is less,” Clay wrote in the email.
A Department in Decline
The offer comes amid the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to dramatically reduce or even dismantle the Department of Education. While completely eliminating the agency would require congressional approval, the administration has already begun taking steps to gut it. Over the past few months, the department has placed dozens of employees on administrative leave and canceled nearly $1 billion in federal contracts—clear signs of deep cuts on the horizon.
Despite multiple inquiries, the department has not disclosed how many employees have accepted the payout so far. The offer is also not available to all employees; those who have worked at the department for less than three years, received a recent bonus, or benefited from student loan repayment assistance within the last three years are ineligible.
Trump’s Vision: Shifting Education to the States
This move aligns with President Donald Trump’s long-standing goal of shrinking the federal government, particularly in education. His administration has repeatedly argued that education policy should be handled at the state level rather than by a centralized agency in Washington.
Trump’s nominee for Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, is set to be confirmed by the Senate on Monday—the same day the resignation deadline expires. A former head of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), McMahon echoed Trump’s stance during her confirmation hearings, stating that she supports moving certain Education Department programs to other federal agencies.
“President Trump believes that the bureaucracy in Washington should be abolished so that we can return education to the states, where it belongs,” McMahon wrote in a letter to Democratic senators. “I wholeheartedly support and agree with this mission.”
Uncertain Future for Education Department Employees
For many department staffers, the choice between resigning with a payout or waiting for potential layoffs is a difficult one. Given the department’s rapid downsizing, those who opt to stay may find themselves without a job—and without a financial cushion.
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