PNN – A group of recently laid-off employees of the US Department of Education returned to their Washington, D.C. office on Monday, taking 30 minutes local time to clear out their desks and leave for good.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, many employees, with tearful eyes, collected personal belongings left in their offices with wheeled suitcases or boxes. Many of them were carrying government property, laptops and large computer monitors that they used while working remotely.
Sheila Chapman, who had worked for the Educational Services Institute for 35 years, told CNN as he packed up his belongings: I feel terrible and I feel like I’ve been thrown out.
A small group of 40 people lined up at one of the Department of Education’s three offices in Washington to cheer on the fired employees in a show of support, holding signs that read: Thank you for your service and “Support the employees, not the musk.” Many members of this group have recently been fired from other government agencies.
Nearly 50 percent of the U.S. Department of Education’s employees were laid off this month, totaling 1,300 people. Hundreds also voluntarily “bought their services.”
This week, laid-off employees of the Ministry of Education were given a 30-minute break and ordered to bring a box to pack their belongings.
Elon Musk, an American billionaire and owner of Tesla and X, is one of the closest allies and people to US President Donald Trump. He heads the newly established Office of Government Efficiency, which is tasked with reducing US government spending.
He recently sent an email to nearly two million federal employees asking them to report five things they did at work in the past week within 48 hours. His actions have already led to the closure of many institutions and agencies and the layoff of many employees in the United States.
Continuing his controversial policies and closing down many federal institutions and agencies, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order to begin the process of dismantling the country’s Department of Education, which CNN says requires action by Congress. The US President has taken the first steps to fulfill his campaign promise to dismantle the country’s Department of Education.
CNN reported that “completely eliminating the Department of Education would require congressional action.” Some lawmakers are unhappy with the move. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that “the effort to dismantle the Department of Education is one of the most destructive and damaging actions Trump has ever taken.”