Education Department Offers $25,000 Buyouts Amid Downsizing Efforts
The U.S. Department of Education is offering employees a $25,000 buyout package as part of broader workforce reduction initiatives. Employees had until 11:59 p.m. Monday, March 3, to accept the offer. “This is a one-time offer in advance of a very significant Reduction in Force for the US Department of Education,” wrote Jacqueline Clay, chief human capital officer, in an email sent last Friday afternoon. The Education Department has confirmed this information. The buyout plan aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises to significantly reduce or eliminate the department. Trump has consistently criticized the agency, arguing that taxpayers aren’t receiving adequate
Democratic boycott builds against Trump speech to Congress
By Stephen Neukam A Democratic boycott is developing ahead of President Trump’s address to Congress, Axios has learned. Democratic leaders have asked lawmakers to show up to the speech with people affected by DOGE and Trump’s federal funding freeze. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), one of the most senior Democrats in the Senate, will not attend Trump’s speech on Tuesday, Axios has learned Neither will Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), who will instead host an online town hall. Democrats on Capitol Hill are split on how to best handle Trump’s first big address to Congress of his second term. They have a guest list
Senate Confirms Linda McMahon as Education Secretary Amid Department Downsizing Plans
By Walter Hudson The U.S. Senate confirmed Linda McMahon on Monday to lead the Department of Education with a vote of 51-45, placing the former World Wrestling Entertainment executive at the helm of an agency that President Donald J. Trump has repeatedly pledged to eliminate. McMahon, who previously served as head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, steps into her new role as the department has already begun offering buyouts to staff, signaling the administration’s determination to dramatically reduce the agency’s footprint. “I am deeply grateful to President Trump for his trust in me to serve in
Public remains negative on Trump ahead of address to Congress
By Jennifer Agiesta The American public’s view of Donald Trump’s presidency and the direction he’s leading the country is more negative than positive just ahead of his first formal address to Congress since returning to office, according to a new CNN poll conducted by SSRS. The survey finds that across three basic measures of Trump’s performance on the job – his approval rating, whether he has the right priorities and whether his policies are taking the country in the right direction – the negative side outpaces the positive. Overall, 52% disapprove of Trump’s performance in office, with 48% approving, about the same
Curtis Symonds, President of HBCU Go Talks Black Excellence and Historic Women’s History Month Game Day
Curtis Symonds, President and Co-Founder of HBCU Go, recently sat down with Juandolyn Stokes, host of On Point with Juandolyn Stokes, to celebrate Black excellence and discuss an upcoming groundbreaking event for Women’s History Month. On March 8th, HBCU Go will make history with a special game day broadcast featuring an all-female commentary team—an inspiring milestone for both sports and media representation. As the leading media platform for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), HBCU Go has long been committed to uplifting Black culture, talent, and institutions. This Women’s History Month, the network is taking another bold step by showcasing an all-female broadcast team, a
Judge blocks Trump administration from firing probationary employees
By Kayle Jimenez A Northern California federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from its mass firing of probationary federal employees, a group of workers that represent some of the newest hires. On Thursday, Judge William Alsup of the U.S. District Court for the Northern California District said the mass firings were likely unlawful and ordered that the Office of Personnel Management halt the firings. In a San Francisco court, Alsup said the Office of Personnel Management acted out of bounds by telling other agencies – including the Department of Education, Small Business Administration and the Energy Department – to
Federal Judge Blocks Sharing of Personal Data with DOGE Initiative
By Walter Hudson A Maryland federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order preventing the Department of Education and Office of Personnel Management from sharing sensitive personal information with affiliates of the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). U.S. District Judge Deborah L. Boardman ruled on Monday that the plaintiffs—including military veterans and unions representing millions of teachers, federal employees, scientists, and engineers—demonstrated they would likely suffer “irreparable harm” without injunctive relief. In her 33-page ruling, Judge Boardman found that the plaintiffs had shown the Education Department and OPM “likely violated the Privacy Act by disclosing their personal information
Trump orders more layoffs, Musk touts cuts at cabinet meeting
By Trevor Hunnicut U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday ordered federal agencies to undertake more large-scale layoffs of workers, while the president let downsizing czar Elon Musk take a star role at his first cabinet meeting and discuss his ambitious budget-cutting targets. A new memo instructed agencies to submit plans by March 13 for a “significant reduction” in staffing to a federal workforce already reeling from waves of layoffs and program cuts by Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency. It did not specify the number of new layoffs. The memo represents a major escalation in Trump and Musk’s campaign to slash the size
‘We’re not prepared’: States brace for Trump’s plans to dismantle the Education Department
By Adam Edelman and Tyler Kingkade President Donald Trump has set his sights on abolishing the U.S. Education Department and has said he’d prefer to put education policy in the hands of the states. But that may not be so simple, with state officials and lawmakers saying they’re wildly unprepared for such a huge undertaking. NBC News reported this month that the White House is preparing an executive order to eliminate the agency, though the details of how that would work remain unclear. Trump cannot unilaterally get rid of a federal agency without congressional approval, and his nominee for education secretary, Linda McMahon, agreed at her recent
$19 million in HBCU funding suspended after Trump diversity ban: ‘Not looking too good’
By Williesha Morris The federal government has suspended a scholarship program that gave $19 million to historically Black colleges and universities in 2024, including two Alabama land-grant universities, according to a news report. Alabama A&M and Tuskegee University are two of the 19 recipients of the 1890 Scholars program, which provides full tuition, room and board for students studying “food, agriculture, natural resource and other related sciences.” As land-grant universities, they are federally funded colleges with major agricultural programs. There are 35 AAMU scholars, according to Shannon Frank Reeves, vice president of government affairs. “These students are in high workforce demand majors such