JUST IN: Massive Layoffs Announced At Department Of Education

The U.S. Department of Education intends to cut nearly 50% of its workforce.

“Reduction in force” notices started going out Tuesday evening.

#BREAKING: The Department of Education just announced they are ELIMINATING 50% of their workforce as soon as TONIGHT, as the department is being wound down

Trump and DOGE are keeping their promise.

We’re sending education BACK to the states where it belongs! pic.twitter.com/TUFBS5n0aw

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 11, 2025

A closer look:

* Image from Nick Sortor X Post *

Per NBC News:

About 1,300 career employees will receive termination notices and will be given an opportunity to return to office to turn in government property and clean out desks Wednesday, two officials said.

Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement that the layoffs reflect the department’s “commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers.”

Around 3,000 people work in the Washington headquarters, and roughly 1,000 are in 10 regional offices — making Education one of the smallest Cabinet-level federal departments. Its $268 billion appropriations last year represented 4% of the federal budget.

BREAKING: Dept. of Education announces it’s cutting 50% of the workforce

“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and… pic.twitter.com/E299J7lBvY

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) March 11, 2025

Department of Education Cuts Staff By 50 Percenthttps://t.co/oZeQrsjp6r

— The Federalist (@FDRLST) March 11, 2025

From the Associated Press:

The department is also terminating leases on buildings in cities including New York, Boston, Chicago and Cleveland, officials said.

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Department officials said it would continue to deliver on its key functions such as the distribution of federal aid to schools, student loan management and oversight of Pell Grants.

“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said.

McMahon told employees to brace for profound cuts in a memo issued March 3, the day she was confirmed by the Senate. She said it was the department’s “final mission” to eliminate bureaucratic bloat and turn over the agency’s authority to states.

The department sent an email to employees Tuesday telling them its Washington headquarters and regional offices would be closed Wednesday, with access forbidden, before reopening Thursday. The only reason given for the closures was unspecified “security reasons.”