Sen. Hirono: “Donald Trump’s cruel effort to gut the Department from the inside out will wreak havoc on schools and communities across the country, leaving students, educators, and families paying the price.”
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) released the following statement condemning President Trump’s firing of nearly 1,300 employees at the Department of Education (ED), which effectively halved the Department’s workforce:
“The Department of Education supports low-income students and students with disabilities, prevents discrimination in the classroom, and ensures access to afterschool and summer programs, while supporting important services like school lunch for kids in need. Core to the Department’s mission is ensuring access to quality education for every student in our nation. Donald Trump’s cruel effort to gut the Department from the inside out will wreak havoc on schools and communities across the country, leaving students, educators, and families paying the price.
“This isn’t about making our schools better or our government more efficient. It’s all part of Trump’s plan to break government beyond recognition and set the stage for his billionaire buddies to privatize critical government functions. Trump and Elon Musk are robbing our children’s future to pay for massive tax cuts for their billionaire buddies.
“A strong public education system is critical to our country’s economic success, our global competitiveness, and Americans’ quality of life. Our country cares about education and it’s time for all of us to do everything in our power to protect our children’s education and their future.”
Broadly, the Department of Education (ED) is responsible for managing federal programs that support students from early childhood, to K-12, to college and career and beyond. ED’s responsibilities include promoting early childhood programs, supporting low-income students, students with disabilities and students experiencing homelessness, and administering federal student aid—including federal student loans, Pell Grants, and Federal Work Study. In addition, the Department also collects and tracks data on student achievement to help states, school districts, and others improve educational outcomes for students.
Abolishing the Department requires an act of Congress. However, Trump has already begun to take steps to undermine ED’s functions by significantly cutting funding for the Department and downsizing its personnel. Earlier this month, ED sent an email offering $25,000 to agency personnel to quit their jobs. Last month, the Trump administration cut $600 million in grants for teacher training programs, putting a further strain on rural school systems with significant teacher shortages. The Administration also terminated nearly $900 million in contracts overseen by ED’s Institute of Education Sciences (IES), which gathers and disseminates data on teaching practices and the status of U.S. student achievement. IES’ research is utilized by educators, state and local departments of education, colleges, and more.
###