Trump Shuts Down US Department of Education Offices

• Trump Closes US Department of Education Offices.
• Reported by EFE.
• Here are the details.

In a move that has sparked controversy, US President Donald Trump ordered the closure of the Department of Education offices as part of his plan to dismantle it.

This action, fulfilling one of his campaign promises, has caused uncertainty among workers and advocates of public education.

The Department’s headquarters in Washington was nearly empty this Wednesday morning, except for security guards and a small number of protesters.

The night before, employees received an internal email instructing them to vacate their offices by 6:00 p.m. ET, warning that the offices would remain closed the following day for «security reasons.»

Trump Closes US Department of Education Offices

The US Department of Education offices were shuttered at dawn on Wednesday after President Donald Trump ordered it as part of his plan to dismantle the department and fulfill one of his campaign promises. https://t.co/vtlhxDCPHD

– EFE News (@efenews) March 12, 2025

Linda McMahon, Secretary of Education, announced that half of the staff would be placed on administrative leave starting March 21.

With this decision, the number of employees will be reduced from 4,133 to 2,183, in line with the cuts driven by the Trump administration.

Outside the building, 23-year-old Chloe Kinsley held a sign stating:

«Teachers supported me for 17 years, now it’s time to support them.» Speaking to the press, she expressed her concern for the future of public education in the country.

Donald Trump Defends the Measure to Shut Down the Department of Education Offices

Trump defends Education Department laying off nearly half of staff | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/21ev0cxs1k

-WTAE-TV Pittsburgh (@Wtae) March 12, 2025

From the White House, Trump defended the measure, stating that many of the dismissed employees «weren’t working» or «weren’t doing a good job.»

He also reiterated his intention to shift educational management to the states, arguing that the federal administration should not intervene in local education.

However, Neera Tanden, director of the Center for American Progress, warned that these cuts «will harm children» and reduce the quality of public education.

«Today’s children will have fewer educational opportunities than their parents or even their older siblings,» she stated in a press release.

Criticism from the Republican Party

The Department of Education has been criticized by the Republican Party.

Particularly for decisions made during the administration of former President Joe Biden, such as student loan forgiveness and the expansion of anti-discrimination protections in education for LGBT individuals.

With this closure, the Trump administration seeks to drastically change the country’s educational policy.

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