Three former U.S. Department of Education secretaries and a federal union leader have formally requested an investigation into the agency’s mass layoffs, raising questions about the financial and operational impact of the Trump administration’s restructuring efforts. The move highlights ongoing tensions between federal education officials and lawmakers concerned about the stability of the department that has served for 46 years.
Call for Inspector General Review
Former Secretaries Arne Duncan, John B. King Jr., and Miguel Cardona joined Rachel Gittleman, president of the American Federation of Government Employees Local 252, in sending a letter Tuesday to Mark Priebe, the acting inspector general of the Education Department. The group asked Priebe to examine the costs associated with reinstating and rehiring hundreds of employees after earlier termination waves.
The letter specifically questioned an October 2025 initiative that targeted nearly 500 employees for dismissal before being paused by courts and halted by Congress. Gittleman stated that approximately 1,000 department workers were unlawfully terminated or forced into retirement in August 2025, following a reduction in force (RIF) announced in March 2025.
The RIF took effect in early August after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily approved the downsizing plan in July. President Donald Trump outlined the restructuring strategy in an executive order issued in March 2025, tasking Education Secretary Linda McMahon with leading the effort to shrink the federal bureaucracy.
Criticism of Interagency Agreements
During a press conference outside the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Democratic lawmakers and labor leaders criticized the administration’s broader strategy to dismantle parts of the Education Department. The White House has signed more than a dozen interagency agreements with departments including Health and Human Services, Labor, Interior, State, Justice, and Treasury. These agreements aim to transfer education-related responsibilities away from the Education Department.
U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, ranking member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, argued that these transfers are inefficient and wasteful. He stated that shifting duties results in inconsistent enforcement of federal education laws. U.S. Sens. Angela Alsobrooks and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland also spoke at the event, echoing concerns about the long-term impact on federal oversight.
In response to the criticism, a department spokesperson defended the RIF as compliant with existing regulations and laws. The spokesperson criticized the former secretaries’ past records regarding Common Core implementation, FAFSA administration, and gender definitions in educational settings.
Congressional Response
Lawmakers have moved to limit the scope of these administrative changes. In July, a Senate education panel advanced a bipartisan bill designed to block interagency agreements that would transfer special, elementary, secondary, postsecondary, and Native American education programs. Earlier that month, a House education panel advanced legislation aimed at significantly reducing the department’s responsibilities.
For Idaho schools and educators, federal funding streams remain a critical component of local budgets. As noted in recent coverage, FCC reviews of E-Rate funding have already created uncertainty for North Idaho districts navigating technology grants. Additionally, North Idaho school leaders have highlighted persistent funding gaps as the new academic year begins, underscoring the importance of stable federal support.
The investigation requested by former secretaries and union representatives could provide clarity on whether the mass firings violated labor protections or resulted in unnecessary taxpayer costs through rehiring expenses.