In a significant push to reduce the federal government’s role in education, the Trump administration has begun large-scale layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education, cutting more than 1,300 jobs. Experts warn that these cuts could severely impact the department’s ability to function, potentially disrupting critical services such as student financial aid processing and enforcement of educational equity laws.
Although Congress would need to approve the department’s complete elimination, the administration appears to be bypassing this through deep budget reductions.
This move is part of a broader agenda that includes diverting public school funds to private institutions through voucher programs and reshaping American history education in schools.
Minnesota Senate Education Committee leaders have strongly criticized the move, accusing Trump and Elon Musk of attempting to privatize public education. They argue that school vouchers will defund public schools, increase segregation, and worsen educational disparities, ultimately harming students’ academic success.
Since its creation in 1979, the Department of Education has played a vital role in funding special education, enforcing civil rights protections, managing student loans, and supporting schools in low-income areas. With federal funding in jeopardy, states like Minnesota, which rely on federal reimbursements, face financial uncertainty and may have to shoulder additional costs, potentially leaving vulnerable students without crucial support.
In response to the layoffs, the Minnesota Senate Education Committee condemned the decision, stating that it disregards parents’ desires for high-quality, free education for their children. They warned that the cuts could lead to both financial burdens on states and severe consequences for the nation’s education system. Quoting former Vice President Hubert Humphrey, they criticized the administration for failing to uphold the moral responsibility of government to support children, the elderly, and those in need. The committee urged Republicans to stand against these policies and safeguard students’ educational rights.
