1. United States
2. Ill.
3. Letter

The Trump administration's dismantling of the Department of Education is deeply concerning. Cutting staff by nearly half will severely undermine the department's ability to enforce civil rights laws, provide guidance on federal education funding, conduct critical research, and oversee student loans and financial aid programs. The Office for Civil Rights has lost over 40% of its staff, jeopardizing its mandate to investigate discrimination complaints and ensure all students have equal access to education. Terminating attorneys who advise on the proper use of federal funds for vulnerable students like those living in poverty or with disabilities removes crucial oversight. With major staffing cuts to the Institute of Education Sciences and the Office of Federal Student Aid, the Department will struggle to study best educational practices, administer student loans effectively, and maintain vital online systems. These sweeping layoffs risk violating laws that establish and protect education programs for America's children. They leave students, families, and educators without the federal resources and support systems they rely on. Rather than streamlining bureaucracy, this extreme downsizing cripples the Department's core functions and statutory obligations. Drastic cuts of this magnitude demand robust justification and transparency from the administration, which has not been provided. I urge you to challenge these reckless personnel moves that compromise the education and civil rights of our nation's students.