Trump to sign executive order ending Department of Education after nearly 50% staff were laid off

A White House official has confirmed that Donald Trump has more big changes in store for the Department of Education.

Trump's administration has insisted the Department of Education is full of ‘bureaucratic bloat’ and this needs to change - starting with a few massive layoffs.

Earlier this month (March 11) the US Department of Education revealed its initiation of a reduction in force (RIF), a move that has reportedly impacted nearly 50 per cent off all staff.

As a result of the RIF being initiated, the Department's workforce is now set to total 'roughly 2,183 workers' - a reduction of around 1,950 employees.

Donald Trump has said he will cut the 'bloat' from the Department of Education(Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The US Department of Education released a statement saying: “Included in the reduction in force are nearly 600 employees who accepted voluntary resignation opportunities and retirement over the last seven weeks, including: 259 employees accepted the Deferred Resignation Program [and] 313 employees accepted the Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment."

But that's not all as a White House official, who wished to remain anonymous, has now said Trump and his administration have more plans in store.

The official spoke ahead of an alleged official announcement that will reveal Trump is planning to sign an executive order calling for the shut down of the Department of Education today (March 20).

According to a PA report, a White House fact sheet said the order would direct secretary Linda McMahon 'to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure (of) the Department of Education and return education authority to the States, while continuing to ensure the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely'.

Even before he returned to the White House, however, Trump made it clear that he would gut the department.

The White House official said Trump would be signing an executive order today (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

In a 2023 campaign video, he said (via CNN): “We’re going to end education coming out of Washington, DC. We’re going to close it up - all those buildings all over the place and people that in many cases hate our children. We’re going to send it all back to the states."

This move will likely face backlash as there has already been opposition to the lay off of staff.

In response, National Education Association President Becky Pringle said: “Firing - without cause - nearly half of the Department of Education staff means they are getting rid of the dedicated public servants who help ensure our nation's students have access to the programs and resources to keep class sizes down and expand learning opportunities for students so they can grow into their full brilliance.

“The Trump administration has abandoned students, parents, and educators across the nation."

While the National Parents' Union said in a statement that the lay-offs weren't about 'fixing education' but rather 'making sure millions of children never get a fair shot'.

"And we’re not about to let that happen without a fight." they added (via Associated Press).