Trump defends decision to cut nearly half of Education Department staff
President Donald Trump on Wednesday defended his administration's decision to lay off about half of the U.S. Department of Education's staff, citing the department's own data on the U.S.'s relatively low academic rankings compared to other countries.
Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump backed Education Secretary Linda McMahon's efforts while reiterating his goal to move the government's oversight of the nation's academic efforts from federal to state leaders. Trump said he's concerned that students in China, Norway, Denmark and Sweden are performing better than those who go to schools in the U.S.
"We have a dream. And you know what the dream is? We're going to move the Department of Education," Trump said during a bilateral meeting with Ireland Prime Minister Michael Martin. "We're going to move education into the states, so that the states — instead of bureaucrats working in Washington — can run education."
The timing of the workforce cuts align with Trump's expected upcoming executive order attempting to dismantle the agency.
McMahon has also said that she supports a reduction of the Education Department's workforce, noting the move reflects its "commitment to efficiency, accountability, and ensuring that resources are directed where they matter most: to students, parents, and teachers."
The president and the Education secretary's efforts to dismantle the federal agency has ignited opposition from Democrats, the national teacher's unions and other activists who believe the federal government needs to support its students.
The move has garnered support from conservative parents rights groups and others who support state oversight of education.
Contributing: Zachary Schermele; Paste BN
Contact Kayla Jimenez at kjimenez@usatoday.com. Follow her on X at @kaylajjimenez.