The US Department of Education is planning to lay off 1,300 employees, about half of its workforce, in an effort to restore the country’s education system. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the layoffs are necessary for efficiency and accountability. The department had already seen 572 employees accept voluntary resignations and retirements, with the remaining staff being put on administrative leave.
The announcement has sparked criticism from Democrats and progressives, with Representative Greg Casar accusing officials of prioritizing tax cuts over education funding. President Trump had campaigned on closing the Department of Education, and McMahon had suggested that Congress could potentially abolish or reorganize the agency.
In other news, the US has resumed aid to Ukraine after the country agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in its conflict with Russia. A federal judge in Boston blocked the Trump administration’s plan to cut funding for teacher training programs, and another federal judge in Louisiana halted the state’s first death row execution in 15 years.
House Republicans passed a spending bill to prevent a government shutdown, with only one Republican voting against it. Trump announced he is buying a Tesla despite backlash from Musk and Democratic senator Mark Kelly. Elon Musk called out Kelly as a “traitor” for supporting Ukraine, while former Democratic House member Katie Porter announced her candidacy for California governor. Perkins Coie, a law firm targeted by Trump, filed a lawsuit against the administration for bullying tactics.
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