The Department of Education will move out of DC headquarters as layoffs continue
Overview:
The Trump administration plans to abandon the Education Department’s headquarters and transfer it to another agency as part of a broader effort to shrink the department, devolve responsibilities, and reduce the agency’s role in education, despite criticism and legal restrictions.
The US Department of Education has announced plans to move from its longtime headquarters in the Lyndon B. Johnson (LBJ) building, marking one of the most visible moves yet in the Trump administration’s ongoing effort to defund the agency.
The department said the LBJ building, located in downtown Washington, will be transferred to the Department of Energy, which officials say will make better use of the space. According to management, the center is currently about 70% vacant.
Named for President Lyndon B. Johnson, whose administration expanded the organization’s involvement in education—especially for low-income students—the building has long represented the organization’s broad commitment to educational access.
However, Education Secretary Linda McMahon described the move as part of a broader campaign to reduce the federal government’s role in education and save taxpayers money.
“Last year, President Trump signed one of the most important pieces of legislation of his presidency – dismantling education regulation and returning education to the states,” said US Education Secretary Linda McMahon. “Thanks to the hard work of many, we have made unprecedented progress in lowering the standard of public education, and now we are pleased to give this building to an agency that will benefit more from its place than the Department of Education. This is an important step in our efforts to create a brighter future for our nation’s students, honor the taxpayers who invest in their promises, and support the public servants who further their work.”
The relocation is part of a major restructuring effort that has already been evident over the past year. The department has cut its workforce by nearly half through layoffs and voluntary buyouts, although some positions have been restored. At the same time, important responsibilities have been reallocated to other government agencies.
Among the most important changes is the transfer of parts of the federal student loan system to the . The Department of Finance has begun to take over the collection of delinquent loans and may eventually play a greater role in managing the student aid process, including payment plans and overseeing applications.
The union representing employees of the Department of Education has condemned this action in a statement.
“The message the Secretary’s announcement sends to our employees and the American public is clear – education is next in line,” said American Federation of Government Employees Local 252 President Rachel Gittleman.
Critics, including many Democrats and education advocates, have raised concerns about the long-term impact and argued that dismantling the department’s operations would weaken state oversight and harm high-risk students.
“ED leaving the Lyndon B. Johnson headquarters building isn’t cutting bureaucracy – it’s reorganizing it,” said Rep. Bobby Scott, representing Virginia’s 3rd Congressional District. “This decision reflects a broader effort to reduce the federal government’s role in ensuring that people receive an equitable quality of education.”
By law, the Department of Education cannot be completely abolished without congressional approval. Established in 1979, the agency would require an act of Congress to dissolve it—a process that would require 60 votes in the Senate, a threshold the administration currently lacks.
The closing of the Lyndon B. Johnson building would signal the Trump administration’s shift toward decentralization, with more authority placed in the hands of states.
