The Department of Education paved the way for its own destruction after firing half its workforce on Tuesday, and President Trump's allies have become keen to hit more while the agency's advocates prepare for legal action.
The director said the layoffs that took place about a week after Education Secretary Linda McMahon was confirmed were layoffs for “reducible” and “unnecessary” positions that emphasized they would not interfere with the programme required by Congress.
Some see the next steps for McMahon and Trump, and while the plan said that moving these necessary programs to different agencies would kill the department, others have planned a protest and are waiting on the wing.
“When you say there are parents in this country who are trying to look at this very carefully, trust me. And there is no legal requirement, no direct compliance with federal law… this and all of the moves will be challenged in court.”
The Department of Education started with more than 4,000 employees when Trump took office. There have only been 2,183 since the announcement Tuesday.
Senior education officials admitted that “all parts of the sector will be affected in some way” after the major cuts, but said only overlapping internal roles were targeted.
The agency said the move does not hinder student aid, free applications for federal student aid forms, official funding to the state, operational for students with disabilities, or statutory duties from Congress.
But a former Department of Education employee who asked for anonymity said “there is absolutely no way for the program to work for Americans who have just had fewer staff members.”
Trump and Elon Musk's government efficiency has brought hands on federal workers, dumped thousands of people across multiple government agencies, sparking a swarm of legal challenges. But the education sector is unusual in that cuts come while the president openly asks for it to be wiped out completely.
Opponents argue that McMahon's promise that the core program will not be changed is intended to buy management time to maintain efforts to dismantle it.
“Horse crap” and “Horse crap” Ragland, vice president of research for advocacy and outreach at the Center for Progress in America, said the department claims that half of its employees can handle that critical program.
“The move yesterday was a huge first step towards their ultimate goal: eliminating not only the Ministry of Education but also a lot of protection and funding… [for] Low-income students and students with disabilities,” added Ragland, a former employee of the education department.
The department ordered employees to their homes at 6pm Tuesday and instructed them not to come to the office Wednesday due to “security concerns” after the announcement of a massive layoff.
So did the protesters while remaining staff returned to the office on Thursday.
The Sunrise Movement calls for people to gather on Thursday to “save our schools” in front of the local Ministry of Education, which begins at 5pm.
“We want to turn our attention to these cuts and make it clear that young people can't wait as Donald Trump tries to steal our future,” said Denaevila Dixon, communications manager for the activist group.
A former department employee who requested anonymity said Hill's civic actions and pressure on Congress was a short-term plan than a lawsuit.
“It's not a fast strategy at all, a lot of things will be cancelled and it'll be hard to get back together,” they said.
“I think what could be impacting is that if parents or communities are affected, reach out to members of Congress and push some of this back. Former department employees point out that there is a budget vote that lawmakers can use to curb McMahon's power, and I think that's the better, short-term part.
The president told McMahon that he is in charge of the layoffs and the education secretary told Fox News' Lowline Graham that the cut was “the first step to eliminate what I think is bureaucratic bloated.”
Without Congressional actions, the department cannot be completely eliminated. This has little chance of overcoming the Senate's 60 vote threshold.
However, actions such as firing employees and removing non-legal programs are within the scope of the administration.
Decommissioning the division was one of Trump's promises on his campaign trail and has long been a Republican goal.
Jonathan Butcher, senior researcher of Will Skillman in Education Policy at the Heritage Foundation, said he “certainly hopes” that Congress can keep up with mandatory programs, but he is ahead of when those programs are no longer under that authority.
“The secretary has the authority to transfer the program to other agencies,” Butcher said.
“I think that's a logical next step, but I think there are a few things. [department staffers] I've probably got it in mind,” Butcher added, saying moving the programme is something that can be done by shutting down the department completely “before we actually have to work with Congress.”
