Department of Education Lays Off Nearly 50% of Its Workforce

Department Of Education Plans To Lay Off Half Of Its Staff

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The Department of Education initiated mass layoffs on Tuesday night, sending “reduction in force” notices to more than a thousand employees shortly after 6 p.m. ET.

The department terminated almost half of its workforce — some 1,315 staffers — on Tuesday and will now only have about 2,183 employees left.

“Today’s reduction in force reflects our commitment to efficiency,” Linda McMahon, the US education secretary, said in a statement on Tuesday, insisting that student loans, Pell grants and special education funding would continue uninterrupted. Department officials characterized the eliminated positions as unnecessary administrative roles.

“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.”

In an interview with Fox News later on Tuesday, McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, confirmed that the layoffs were a step towards abolishing the department.

“Actually, it is because that was the president’s mandate,” she said.

“His directive to me clearly is to shut down the Department of Education, which we know we will have to work with Congress to get that accomplished.”

McMahon said that the cuts took aim at “bureaucratic bloat” and that the department’s “outward facing programs”, such as grants, would be preserved.