Supreme Court Allows President Trump to Lay Off 1,100 Department of Education Employees

The Supreme Court authorized the Trump administration to proceed with substantial workforce reductions at the Department of Education. These actions resulted in the termination of over 1,100 employees. This was part of efforts to decrease the agency’s involvement in educational oversight.

Background Behind the Court Decision

During the 2024 Presidential election, one of the most controversial topics was the possibility of dismantling the Department of Education. Republican candidate and current president, Donald Trump, campaigned on a platform that included defunding and dismantling the Department of Education. He cited his belief that the department has not effectively fulfilled its responsibilities.  

After President Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory, he put elected officials in place that align with his political ambitions. He discussed his plans to the public to erode this federal agency. His inauguration in January 2025 and appointing elected officials helped him maneuver his plans. His aim was to weaken the hold the department has on public education.

On March 3, 2025, he appointed Linda E McMahon to be the head of the Department of Education. Immediately, President Trump gave her permission to decrease the number of staff. This was in efforts to weaken the department in the federal government.

“After 45 years, the United States spends more money on education by far than any other country and spends likewise, by far, more money per pupil than any country, and it’s not even close,” President Trump said in a speech. “But yet we rank near the bottom of the list in terms of success.”

Beginning of Mass Layoffs and Rehires

The Department of Education, under the leadership of McMahon, implemented a 50% workforce reduction. This led to 1,400 employees being laid off on March 11, 2025.

“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 Secretary of Education McMahon. 

McMahon elaborated.

“I appreciate the work of the dedicated public servants and their contributions to the Department. This is a significant step toward restoring the greatness of the United States education system.” 

Within the number of those laid off, 572 employees accepted voluntary resignation opportunities and retirement over seven weeks. Among these employees, 259 elected to participate in the Deferred Resignation Program. Meanwhile, 313 opted for the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment.

During their departure, many former employees went to the courts and sued to have their jobs back. Eventually, the Trump administration rehired 400 former Department of Education employees back to their positions. This was due to backlash and a shortage of adequate workers in various federal departments. Additionally, these rehires didn’t stop the Trump administration’s goals of dismantling it.

Current Layoffs and Their Impact on Other Departments

After the Supreme Court paused a preliminary injunction from U.S. District Judge Myong Joun to reverse the layoffs, the court permitted the Trump administration to lay off 1,400 employees from the Department of Education. This decision was a step that will further demolish the federal agency. It will also reorganize other government departments to uphold the administration’s goals.

All government divisions are impacted by these layoffs. The recent mass layoffs within the Department of Education have had an impact on additional federal departments. The administration released a Schedule F executive order that authorizes the dismissal of employees occupying positions designated as apolitical.  Additionally, another executive order eliminates telework and remote work for federal employees. Employees working in Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility roles may be subject to termination. Furthermore, agencies are required to review the status of probationary federal employees for potential dismissal. Other agencies, such as the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission (EEOC) and National Labors Relations Board (NLRB) will be impacted. This is because many senior workers will be fired or forced to retire.

As of recently, a few federal agencies have pulled back on implementing massive layoffs. This is due to federal employees accepting buyouts or retiring early to avoid job termination.

Impact of Mass Layoffs on the Economy and Americans

Not only will firing federal workers’ increase the unemployment rate, but it also impacts the economy. Most federal employees live and work outside of Washington and contribute to local economies by providing jobs for others. Many of these jobs, such as border patrol agents, are services necessary to uphold safety. Border patrol agents help keep our borders secure and stop the overflow of drugs from coming into the country. The Small Business Administration lends money and resources to small businesses to start their businesses. Passport adjudicators at the Department of State uphold the whereabouts of citizens, and wildland firefighters work in the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

These mass layoffs will leave Americans with fewer resources for students to learn from. Additionally, fewer border patrol agents will be available to surveil the border. Furthermore, there will be fewer jobs in the local community. College students will lose funding to grants, scholarships, and federal loans necessary to pay for tuition and other expenses.

How does this effect People

CBS News Correspondent, Natalie Brand interviewed a couple of women in Virginia about their opinion on the mass layoffs of federal workers. She spoke to a woman named Carol, whose husband depends on projects for USAID for his livelihood. Brand also spoke to Carol’s friend, Janet about the situation and how she felt about it. These women made it clear how they felt about the administration’s policies and its effects on their and other people’s lives.

“Everything just feels very indiscriminately done. There’s no purpose to it,” Carol said. “They’re just slashing people without any kind of thoughtful consideration of what they do. What their job is.”

“I just don’t understand in how this can happen…. there’s no control over it,” Janet said. “We’ve got people in the Oval Office, now, aren’t politicians that have no room to be making these decisions.”

Brand also interviewed supporters of President Trump on their perspectives on the mass layoffs from federal agencies.

“I think it was a little quick. Probably could have rolled it out better. I think overall it is good in the long run,” Virginia resident, Jeff Geurin.

“I don’t think it’s too abrupt. Unfortunately, we do have to pull the rug out after a while,” another Virginia resident, Maureen Prince said, “The snippet has just got to stop. It has just been ridiculous.”

Conclusion

The mass layoffs of federal employees from the Department of Education will affect other federal agencies. This will lead to employees from other agencies no longer having a job, cutting its funding, and decreasing the number of jobs available for residents in local communities. On the bright side, the rolling back on the initiatives of these federal agencies could provide more provision for the state and local governments to provide resources and jobs to its residents. Despite the varying viewpoints of these residents, the mass layoffs will have a tremendous impact on the livelihood of Americans. These layoffs will be a factor that unites or divides the American people.