The Department of Education announced it is laying off nearly 50% of its workers.

The layoffs, the department said in a statement, started Tuesday evening. The department said it employed 4,133 people when Trump took office in late January. Now, there are less than 2,200 workers.

Included in the “reduction in force” are nearly 600 employees who accepted voluntary resignation opportunities and retirement during the last seven weeks, including the following:

259 employees accepted the Deferred Resignation Program

313 employees accepted the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment

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

Impacted staff will be placed on administrative leave beginning March 21, the statement said.

“The Department of Education will continue to deliver on all statutory programs that fall under the agency’s purview, including formula funding, student loans, Pell Grants, funding for special needs students, and competitive grantmaking,” the statement said. “All divisions within the department are impacted by the reduction, with some divisions requiring significant reorganization to better serve students, parents, educators and taxpayers.”

Remaining employees impacted by the reduction in force will be placed on administrative leave beginning March 21. Pursuant to regulatory requirements and the department’s collective bargaining agreement, they will receive full pay and benefits until June 9, as well as severance pay or retirement benefits based on their length of service.

The news comes as President Donald Trump has vowed to dismantle the department, as well as a little more than a week after McMahon was confirmed to head the department.

The president said his goal for McMahon is to eventually “to put herself out of a job.”

During a hearing last week, McMahon said she hopes to make sure the department starts to “operate more efficiently,” with Trump and billionaire Elon Musk aiming to reduce wasteful government spending and fraud through the Department of Government Efficiency. She said her department will spend money that’s directed by Congress and described DOGE’s cuts as an audit.

McMahon’s supporters see her as a skilled executive who will reform a department that Republicans believe has failed to improve American education. Her opponents claim she’s unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide.

“Americans believe in public education,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the confirmation vote. “They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on cuts to education, schools will lose billions in funding.”

McMahon, who co-founded WWE with her husband, Vince McMahon, is a longtime Trump supporter. She left WWE in 2009 to launch a political career, running unsuccessfully twice for the U.S. Senate.

She has given millions of dollars to Trump’s campaigns and served as leader of the Small Business Administration during his first term.

“I look forward to working collaboratively with students, educators, parents and communities to strengthen our educational system; ensuring every child regardless of their demographics is prepared for a bright future,” McMahon previously said.

Editor’s note: The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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