President Donald Trump has laid off various staffers working at the Department of Education.

As AFROTECH™ previously reported, President Trump had interest in dismantling the department. This would greatly reduce its role in the country’s education, which includes managing $1.6 trillion in federal student loan programs, overseeing K-12 school grants, and implementing civil rights law for federally funded schools.

“This is an assault on every young American who went to public school like me,” Ro Khanna, U.S. representative from California’s 17th congressional district, said during a February news conference in San Jose, CA. “This is an assault on every American family who has someone who is disabled and needs the IDEA (The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) program to provide education. This is an assault on every neighborhood in America that has a public school that gets Title 1 funding.”

He continued, “This is an assault on every child who gets school lunches in America. This is an assault on our public teachers across this country. This is an assault on every American who has gotten any federal financial aid to go to vocational school or to go to public college or to get an education like I did. The president does not have the constitutional authority to do this. It is cruelty. It is taking away the bedrock of education in this country.”

It appears Trump is already putting his plan into action. The New York Times reports the Department of Education’s workforce has been slashed, after starting off the year with 4,133 workers. President Trump has removed 1,315 workers. This does not include the 573 who accepted separation packages and 63 probationary workers who were laid off in February.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon states the reduction in the department’s workforce will not interfere with student loans, Pell Grants, competitive grant making, or funding for special needs students.

“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,” McMahon said, according to The New York Times.

These changes are not amusing to all to some. Sheria Smith, president of American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, believes the Trump administration has “no respect for the thousands of workers who have dedicated their careers to serve their fellow Americans.” She also committed herself to preventing further workforce reductions in the Department of Education’s workforce, per the outlet.

“We will not stand idly by while this regime pulls the wool over the eyes of the American people,” Smith said.