The Office of Management and Budget ordered widespread reduction‑in‑force plans as the federal government shutdown entered its second week, putting the U.S. Department of Education on the list of agencies facing layoffs. The administration signaled that the Education Department’s Office of Elementary and Secondary Education and state‑engagement teams are among those targeted for cuts. The department had already furloughed roughly 87% of staff; unions warned that permanent layoffs will hollow out program capacity, disrupt grants and compliance work, and slow oversight of K–12 and higher education programs. Department unions criticized the move as politically motivated and said mass firings will degrade services just as schools and colleges prepare budgets and enrollment cohorts. Officials provided sparse details on exact headcounts; the White House said RIFs could total thousands across multiple agencies, amplifying uncertainty for campuses that rely on federal programs and technical assistance.