Education Department Faces Major Cuts Amid Trump's Cost-Cutting Mandate

The U.S. Department of Education plans to lay off nearly half its staff as part of President Trump's push for mass layoffs across government agencies. The move aligns with Trump's mandate to eliminate the department, which oversees crucial functions like college loans and civil rights laws in schools.

The U.S. Department of Education announced significant layoffs, intending to shed nearly half of its staff. This decision comes as part of President Donald Trump's broader initiative for mass layoffs across federal agencies, pressuring them to submit detailed layoff plans by the deadline.

Secretary of Education Linda McMahon affirmed that these layoffs would likely lead to the department's dismantling, adhering to Trump's mandate. These cuts, part of a pattern followed by other agencies, highlight Trump's determined efforts to drastically reduce government expenditures and personnel.

The move has sparked significant controversy within the administration, facing resistance from White House officials and Republican lawmakers. Union leaders and various agencies are negotiating early retirement options, hoping to meet Trump's stringent cost-cutting requirements without prompting legal challenges.

(With inputs from agencies.)