(NewsNation) — The Department of Education announced Tuesday almost half of its staff will be laid off starting March 21.
“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,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement.
The statement added that the department will continue to deliver on programs, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for students who are disabled and competitive grantmaking.
This makes it so the department’s workforce will total 2,183 workers, down from 4,133 when President Donald Trump first took office.
Included in this number are almost 600 employees who took buyouts.
According to a note obtained by NewsNation, all Washington, D.C., offices in the National Capital Region will be closed for “security reasons” starting 6 p.m. ET Tuesday and also Wednesday.
“Employees will not be permitted in any ED facility on Wednesday, March 12 for any reason,” the note said. “All offices will reopen on Thursday, March 13, at which time in-person presence will resume.”
Several federal agencies have seen layoffs and firings through Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency, which Trump created at the beginning of the year. This includes the Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, among other agencies.
NewsNation reached out to the Department of Education for comment.
