Former President Donald Trump responded to the recent wave of mass terminations in government agencies. In a meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin at the White House, Trump claimed he felt “very badly” for the civil workers who have lost their jobs in recent weeks—but followed it up with: “many of them don’t work at all.”
RELATED STORIES: 1,300 Employees Fired from the Department of Education
During a press interaction, Trump addressed questions about the growing backlash, stating, “Sure I do. I feel very badly… but many of them never showed up to work.” His comments come amid reports of over 1,300 employees being cut from the Department of Education.
Government Job Cuts: A Deeper Look Into Trump’s Statement
“Many of Them Never Showed Up to Work”: The Fallout From Trump’s Claim
Trump didn’t mince words. He said, “We want to cut the people that aren’t working or… not doing a good job.” NBC News reported that Trump justified the firings by emphasizing inefficiency in federal operations.
Education Department Hit Hard: 1,300 Employees Let Go
Trump cited Education Secretary Linda McMahon’s decision to cut a significant number of staff from the Department of Education as an example of streamlining operations. “She cut a large number, but she kept the best people,” he said. “We’ll see how it all works out.” McMahon, known for her corporate leadership background, is being credited—or criticized—for executing one of the largest departmental overhauls in recent years. The move signals a shift toward Trump’s broader goal of decentralizing federal control over education policy.
The Push for State-Led Education: Trump’s Vision
One of the more telling parts of Trump’s commentary revolved around his long-standing stance on reducing federal oversight in education. “Our country was run very badly,” he emphasized, pointing fingers at flawed contracts and federal bureaucracy. “The goal is to allow the states to run education,” he added.