U.S. Department of Education Closes Offices Wednesday for Security Reasons, Cuts Half of Staff Under Trump's Mandate

The U.S. Department of Education has announced the closure of all its offices on Wednesday due to unspecified 'security reasons.' This closure follows reports of imminent mass layoffs, with nearly half of the department's 4,400 staff expected to be terminated, reducing the workforce to 2,183 employees. The decision was communicated through an email from James Hairfield of the Office of Security, Facilities and Logistics, instructing staff to leave the offices by 6 p.m. on Tuesday and to not enter any department facilities on Wednesday. Affected employees will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21. Education Secretary Linda McMahon has confirmed that these actions are part of President Donald Trump's mandate to shut down the Department of Education. McMahon stated that the layoffs are aimed at eliminating 'bureaucratic bloat' and that the department will continue to fulfill its statutory obligations, such as managing student loans and funding for special needs students. The move aligns with Trump's campaign promise to dismantle the federal agency and return educational oversight to the states, a policy McMahon supports as she believes it will empower parents and local communities. The closure and layoffs have drawn criticism from figures like Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, who argue that dismantling the department could negatively impact students, particularly the most vulnerable. McMahon, however, insists that the changes will result in more resources being directed to states through mechanisms like school choice, thereby improving educational outcomes. President Trump is expected to sign an executive order officially instructing McMahon to look for ways to dismantle the Education Department.