The Department of Education (DOE) carried out mass layoffs on Tuesday night, cutting its workforce by nearly 50%.

The reduction-in-force (RIF) notices were sent out at 6 p.m., affecting 1,315 employees and leaving 2,183 remaining staff members, according to senior DOE officials.

Impacted employees will be placed on administrative leave starting March 21.
DOE offices in the National Capital Region (NCR) and regional locations will be closed on Wednesday, March 12, due to “security reasons.”
Employees were instructed to vacate the building by 6 p.m. Tuesday and take their laptops home.

An internal department email informed staff that all DOE offices would reopen on Thursday, March 13, at which time in-person presence would resume. Employees with approved telework agreements were given the option to work remotely, though most telework agreements had been recently revoked.

Despite the mass layoffs, the DOE emphasized that key education programs will continue, stating that the department will still manage student loans, Pell Grants, special needs funding, and competitive grant programs.

“Today’s reduction in force reflects the Department of Education’s commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers,” said Education Secretary Linda McMahon in a statement following the layoffs.

The layoffs come amid speculation that President Donald Trump may issue an executive order to close the Department of Education entirely.

According to senior officials, the decision to sign the order has been delayed as the administration weighs concerns over potential disruptions to key federal education programs.

With thousands of employees now out of work, the future of the DOE remains uncertain, raising questions about the federal government’s role in education policy moving forward.