Education department slashed in half after Trump administration mass firings

1. The Trump administration has drastically reduced the U.S. Department of Education, laying off over 1,300 employees in a single day—seemingly the first step toward dismantling the agency entirely. With additional voluntary departures and probationary firings, the department, which began 2025 with 4,133 staff members, now operates with an estimated 2,100 employees just two months into Donald Trump's presidency. Are you concerned about these job losses in the Department of Education?

2. The recent job cuts at the U.S. Department of Education have sparked mixed reactions—teachers' unions and some parent groups oppose them, while school choice advocates support them. The department helps distribute federal funding to high-poverty districts, support students with disabilities, enforce anti-discrimination policies, and assist with college financial aid. However, most public school funding comes from state and local sources, with the federal government contributing only 6–13%, according to a 2018 GAO report. Trump and Education Secretary Linda McMahon aim to expand school choice, allowing parents to use public funds for private, charter, or other non-traditional schools.