The Education Department has lost nearly 2,000 employees since the start of President Donald Trump's second term.
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Layoffs at the Education Department during the first two months of President Donald Trump’s second term resulted in the agency being unable to perform legally required activities, according to a report published on Monday by the department’s inspector general. The watchdog found that many Education suboffices were left without any staffers due to reductions in force and various separation incentives, which hindered the department’s ability to perform dozens of statutory and oversight functions between Jan. 20, 2025, and March 31, 2025. Some of the impacted activities included:
Overseeing states, nonprofits, lending institutions and servicers that are involved in federal financial aid for postsecondary students.
Managing grants to states for helping youth learn English.
