US Department of Education to Lay Off Nearly Half Its Staff Amid Government Downsizing

Washington, USA - The US Department of Education announced on March 11 it would lay off nearly half of its staff, reducing its workforce from 4,133 to 2,183. This action aligns with President Trump's mandate, overseen by Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to downsize the government. The layoffs are part of the department's "final mission," hinting at a possible dismantling. Affected employees will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21. The American Federation of Government Employees Local 252 vows to fight the cuts. DOGE claims $105 billion in savings from cuts, though documentation is limited. Other agencies are offering buyout payments to encourage voluntary departures.