Trump defends Education Department cuts: ‘We want to keep the best people’ after axing 1,300 jobs

President Donald

Trump

has firmly defended his decision to lay off 1,300 workers at the US Department of Education, calling the cuts an essential part of his efforts to eliminate inefficiencies within the federal government. Trump’s remarks came shortly after the Education Department announced the layoffs, which have significantly reduced its workforce. The department’s staff, which had stood at 4,100 at the end of the Biden administration, will now be cut by nearly half.
In a conversation with Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin, Trump dismissed concerns about the layoffs, suggesting that many of those let go had been ineffective in their roles. “Many of them don’t work at all,” Trump said, as reported by Time. His comments were a stark contrast to his earlier statement expressing sympathy for the workers, as he initially claimed, “I feel very badly” for those affected.
A move towards efficiency and state control
The layoffs come as part of a broader effort by Trump and his administration to shrink the size of the federal government, particularly in areas related to education. Trump has long advocated for shifting more control over education to the states, asserting that reducing the size of the Education Department aligns with his broader political vision. The department will also be closing offices in cities including Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, and New York, as reported by Time. Trump expressed that the goal of these cuts is to retain only the most efficient and productive employees. “When we cut, we want to cut the people who aren’t working,” Trump remarked, emphasizing his desire to “keep the best people.”

Controversial cuts spark debate
The sweeping cuts have sparked mixed reactions across the political spectrum. Critics, including former Education Secretary William Bennett, have expressed concerns about the indiscriminate nature of the layoffs. In an interview with Fox News, Bennett questioned the effectiveness of the approach, stating that the department should have targeted specific areas for cuts rather than laying off a large portion of the staff. “It’s hard for me to believe she knows who the best people are,” Bennett said.
This move is not without historical context. While President Ronald Reagan had pushed for the dismantling of the Department of Education, he faced opposition from a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives. Trump’s current cuts are seen as a continuation of his vision to streamline government operations and reduce bureaucratic influence.
The path ahead for education policy
As the Education Department braces for further cuts, the future of federal involvement in education remains uncertain. Trump’s ultimate aim is to reduce the federal footprint in education and leave more power in the hands of state governments. However, the substantial workforce reduction is likely to leave a lasting impact on the way educational programs and services are managed at the national level.