After Trump layoffs, Education Department workers pack up offices

Department of Education workers leave the Department of Education building after clearing out their desks on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

Supporters of Department of Education workers participate in a clap-out event in front of the U.S. Department of Education building as employees pack up their belongings and leave the building on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

A U.S. Department of Education worker is comforted after leaving the Department of Education building during a clap-out event on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

U.S. Department of Education workers hug each other before entering the Department of Education building as supporters cheer during a clap-out event on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

Rachel Fishman Feser of Alexandria and her son Sam, 8, join other supporters of Department of Education workers in a clap-out event in front of the U.S. Department of Education building as employees pack up their belongings and leave the building on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

A U.S. Department of Education worker acknowledges a crowd of supporters after leaving the Department of Education building on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

Dorie Holt, right, joins other supporters of Department of Education workers in a clap-out event in front of the U.S. Department of Education building as employees pack up their belongings and leave the building on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

U.S. Department of Education workers acknowledge a crowd of supporters before entering the Department of Education building to clear out their desks on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

A U.S. Department of Education worker leaves the Department of Education building with a box of belongings on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

A U.S. Department of Education worker acknowledges a crowd of supporters after leaving the Department of Education building on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

A U.S. Department of Education worker walks towards a crowd of supporters after leaving the agency on March 28, 2025.

A U.S. Department of Education worker is comforted after leaving the Department of Education building during a clap-out event on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.

Former Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona speaks to supporters of education workers during a clap-out event in front of the U.S. Department of Education building in Washington D.C. on March 28, 2025. President Trump signed an executive order attempting to eliminate the U.S. Education Department on March 20, 2025. Congress would ultimately need to approve a closure of the Education Department, but Trump's workforce reduction will shrink it.