Employees at the U.S. Department of Education received an unexpected email on Friday, offering buyouts ahead of what has been described as “very significant” layoffs. The email, sent to all staff, encouraged employees to consider a “one-time offer” of up to $25,000 if they chose to retire or resign by Monday.
The full $25,000 payout is not guaranteed for everyone. The memo clarified that eligible employees would receive either their severance pay or $25,000—whichever is lower. To qualify, employees must have worked for the federal government for at least three consecutive years. However, those who previously received student loan repayment benefits, relocation assistance, recruitment incentives, or retention bonuses in the past three years will be disqualified.
It remains unclear if similar buyout offers were extended to other federal agencies.
Why Is This Happening?
Even before taking office, President Trump had expressed his desire to dismantle the Education Department. Recently, he intensified his criticism, calling it a “big con job.”
During the swearing-in of Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, Trump unexpectedly took aim at the department, calling it a wasteful bureaucracy. He has long argued that education should be regulated at the state level, pointing to New York’s county-based governance as a possible alternative.
Comparing the U.S. education system to China’s, which consistently ranks among the world’s top five, Trump portrayed the Department of Education as a symbol of federal inefficiency and academic decline. His administration has already frozen federal education funding, and momentum is building toward dismantling the department entirely.
Mass Layoffs on the Horizon
The Trump administration has warned of major federal workforce layoffs in the coming weeks. In a recent statement, Trump reaffirmed his stance, declaring that he wants the Education Department “closed immediately.”
With layoffs looming, the buyout offer signals a rapid shift in federal education policy. Whether this move is a cost-cutting measure or a step toward eliminating the department altogether remains to be seen.
What do you think about Trump’s push to shut down the Education Department? Share your thoughts below!
