The US Education Department is gearing up for major cuts. Starting Tuesday evening, they plan to lay off about half of their staff, which totals around 4,400. This decision follows President Trump’s suggestion to eliminate the department altogether.
These layoffs aren’t isolated. Other federal agencies are also downsizing as part of a broader push by Trump and the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, to reduce the size of the federal government.
CNN revealed last week that White House officials are preparing an executive order for Education Secretary Linda McMahon to initiate the disbanding of the department.
On the same day, the department informed employees that offices would be closed Tuesday evening and Wednesday due to “security reasons,” according to an internal memo.
Employees must take their laptops and leave the building by 6 p.m. ET. The offices plan to reopen on Thursday, as detailed in a memo issued by James Hairfield from the department’s facilities and logistics office.
The memo didn’t clarify the security issues, and the Department of Education has not commented on the situation.
Many employees are feeling anxious about the impending layoffs and the executive order from Trump. The memo confirmed that the closures apply to both the department’s headquarters in Washington, DC, and its regional offices. Staff members can work from home on Wednesday but are expected to take their laptops with them on Tuesday.
Veteran employees noted that they can’t recall a time when all offices were closed, even during significant events.
Check out this related article: Trump Lifts Tariff Threat on Canada Following Ontario’s Reversal of Electricity Charges: What This Means for Trade Relations
Source link