The U.S. Education Department announced on Tuesday that it will be reducing its workforce by nearly 50%, senior agency officials confirmed. The move aligns with President Donald Trump’s proposal to eliminate the department entirely. The layoffs, which affect approximately 4,100 employees, will begin Tuesday evening, with hundreds being let go in addition to those who accepted voluntary buyouts. Employees impacted by the cuts will transition to telework on Wednesday before going on paid administrative leave starting March 21. Severance pay will be provided.
These reductions follow the recent termination of 63 probationary employees under a White House directive last month. Additionally, over 300 employees accepted voluntary separation incentives of up to $25,000, while around 260 opted for deferred resignation packages.
Tuesday’s layoffs are part of a broader federal downsizing effort led by Trump and the Elon Musk-headed Department of Government Efficiency. CNN recently reported that the White House is preparing an executive order instructing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to begin dismantling the department.
An earlier memo cited “security reasons” for the temporary closure of the department’s offices, instructing employees to work remotely until Thursday. Staff were advised to take their laptops and vacate the premises starting at 6 p.m. ET. The offices are set to reopen on Thursday, according to a notice from James Hairfield, head of security, facilities, and logistics.
Many department employees have expressed anxiety over the large-scale layoffs and Trump’s pending executive order.
