In a sweeping move that could face immediate legal challenges, the Department of Education announced Tuesday that it is laying off nearly half of its workforce. The decision, part of President Trump’s broader effort to shrink the federal government, affects 1,315 employees who received notification of their termination that same day.
The department, which began Trump’s second term with more than 4,000 employees, had already seen reductions through buyouts and staff being placed on leave. Following this latest round of layoffs, just 2,183 employees will remain. Trump, who has long called for the complete elimination of the department, appears to be testing the limits of how much the agency can be weakened before hitting legal barriers.
Scope and Justification of the Layoffs
A senior department official stated that the reduction would not impact essential services such as student aid processing, federal funding for schools, disability programs, civil rights enforcement, or other congressional mandates. Instead, the layoffs targeted positions deemed redundant or unnecessary.
“Every part of the department will be impacted in some way, but this is primarily a streamlining effort for internal-facing roles, not external-facing ones,” the official explained. As an example, they pointed to multiple separate strategic communication teams across different offices, which will now be consolidated.
Despite these assurances, critics argue that such a drastic workforce reduction could inevitably disrupt the department’s ability to function properly. The layoffs could also lead to a legal showdown over whether the administration is overstepping its authority in diminishing the department’s ability to fulfill its congressional mandates.
Immediate Fallout and Security Concerns
In an unusual step, employees were ordered to vacate the building by 6 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, with the department closing its offices Wednesday for “security reasons.” According to officials, this was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of remaining employees. Those who were laid off will be allowed to return before March 21 to collect their belongings.
The abrupt announcement and immediate office closures have left many employees uncertain about their futures, with some already considering legal action.
Political and Legal Implications
While completely dismantling the Department of Education would require congressional approval—an unlikely scenario given the Senate’s 60-vote filibuster threshold—Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon have been aggressive in reducing its size and influence.
McMahon, who was confirmed amid controversy, wasted no time signaling her intent to shrink the agency. On her first day, she sent a memo titled “Final Mission” to staff, warning of major layoffs and policy overhauls. “Removing red tape and bureaucratic barriers will empower parents to make the best educational choices for their children,” the memo stated.
Legal experts predict that lawsuits challenging the cuts are imminent. Neal McCluskey, director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, noted that while the president has broad authority to fire employees, there are constitutional limits.
“If he fires so many people that he can’t do the jobs that Congress has given him, then he will have violated the Constitution,” McCluskey said.
Julie Margetta Morgan, a former Biden administration education official, echoed this concern. “I expect that any actions to shutter the agency or to dismantle it will be challenged in the courts, and those challenges will prevail,” she said. “The decision to dismantle the Department of Education is incredibly unpopular, and people need to continue to voice their concerns and hold policymakers accountable.”
What Comes Next?
For now, the focus shifts to whether the department can continue to operate effectively with its reduced workforce and whether courts will intervene if the cuts are deemed excessive. While the Trump administration argues this is a necessary step toward reducing government overreach, critics see it as an attempt to weaken federal oversight of education, potentially harming students and educators across the country.
