President Donald Trump has repeatedly said that the Department of Education should be abolished, with its responsibilities turned over to the states.

Trump took a step towards that goal earlier this week when he ordered that the agency fire half of its workforce. 

Department to undergo "significant reorganization"

According to Fox News, that move was revealed in a memo which was circulated on Tuesday by Secretary of Education Linda McMahon.

"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 wrote.

The secretary described the layoffs as being a "significant step toward restoring the greatness" of American education and that some areas of the department will face "significant reorganization."

Fox News noted that the Department of Education had some 4,133 employees at the start of this year, a number which shrank by 572 via deferred resignations and buyouts.

Another roughly 2,000 staff members will be let go as a result of Tuesday's order, which will take effect beginning on March 21.

Draft executive order calls for closure of the Department of Education

Meanwhile, Fox News noted how the Wall Street Journal reported earlier this month that it has obtained a copy of a draft executive order regarding the Department of Education.

President Trump is expected to issue an executive order aimed at abolishing the Education Department, according to people briefed on the matter. Here's everything you need to know.

Read more: https://t.co/5pCpt5HJ2o pic.twitter.com/2qFzkzOkKT

— The Wall Street Journal (@WSJ) March 8, 2025

The order would instruct McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Education Department" based on "the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law."

"The experiment of controlling American education through Federal programs and dollars — and the unaccountable bureaucrats those programs and dollars support — has failed our children, our teachers, and our families," the order read.

Trump wants McMahon "to put herself out of a job"

Those instructions align with remarks the president made when speaking with reporters in the Oval Office last month.

Specifically, Trump asserted that his Education secretary will be working to render her position redundant, saying, "And what I want to do is let the states run schools."

"I believe strongly in school choice, but in addition to that, I want the states to run schools, and I want Linda to put herself out of a job," he added.