Education Department Lays Off Nearly Half of Staff
Liam Knox, Jessica Blake and Katherine Knott
March 11, 2025
McMahon said the reductions are a “significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.” Critics say they are reckless and will lead to chaos and confusion.
The Education Department laid off “nearly 50 percent” of its more than 4,100 employees Tuesday evening, according to four sources inside the agency who were told about the plans and an agency news release.
Congressional Democrats quickly condemned the massive personnel cuts—the largest in the department’s history—while Republicans and conservative groups said they were long overdue. The union representing department staffers pledged to fight the reductions.
It’s not yet clear what specific departments or positions were affected. The department previously offered employees buyouts to cut down the workforce. (The goal to reduce staff by 50 percent includes prior reductions.) Those affected will receive at least 90 days’ severance and will have 10 days to transfer their job duties to another staffer or political appointee, according to a longtime staffer with inside knowledge of the reduction-in-force details.
