The U.S. Department of Education (ED) will relocate from its longtime headquarters in the Lyndon B. Johnson building to a smaller office in Washington, D.C., as part of the Trump administration's efforts to reduce the agency's footprint. The move, announced Thursday, follows significant staff reductions and a push to transfer some of the department's functions to other federal agencies.
Core Facts
The ED will vacate the Lyndon B. Johnson building, which officials say is approximately 70% vacant, and move to a smaller office at 500 D Street SW by August. The Department of Energy will take over the headquarters, saving an estimated $350 million in deferred maintenance costs, according to administration officials. The relocation is expected to save $4.8 million annually in operating costs.
Context and Reactions
Education Secretary Linda McMahon framed the move as a step toward returning education policy to the states, stating that the administration has made 'unprecedented progress in reducing the federal education footprint.' The ED's staff has been cut by nearly half since President Trump took office, down to 2,300 employees. The administration has also reached agreements to transfer some of the department's functions to other agencies, including the Treasury Department.
Critics, including Democratic lawmakers, argue that the move does not reduce bureaucracy but instead rearranges it. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.), ranking member of the House education committee, said the decision reflects a broader effort to diminish the federal government's role in ensuring equal access to education. The ED has also faced scrutiny over its efforts to eliminate the agency entirely, a goal that would require congressional approval.
The move comes as the Trump administration continues to push for a smaller federal government, with the ED being a key target. The administration has argued that the department is unnecessary and that education policy should be handled at the state and local levels.