WASHINGTON (TNND) — The Department of Education announced a significant reduction in its workforce, marking the first step toward a complete shutdown of the agency.

The department, which employs over 4,000 people, will cut its staff by nearly half, with just under 2,000 employees facing layoffs or opting for buyouts and early retirement.

"A lot of the folks that are there, they’re out of a job. But we wanted to make sure we kept all of the right people, the good people, to make sure all of the outward facing programs - the grants, the appropriations that come from Congress - all of that are being met," Secretary of Education Linda McMahon explained to Fox News Tuesday evening.

The building was locked for security and safety reasons according to memos sent out to employees, and remaining employees are expected to return on Thursday. They were told they could work from home on Wednesday while the building was locked. The move aligns with President Trump's vision to dismantle the Department of Education and shift control of education back to the states.

"We want education to be moved back where the states run education, where the parents of the children will be running education," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday.

However, a complete shutdown of the department would require congressional approval. It's something McMahon has acknowledged and has vowed to work with members on Capitol Hill to make it a reality, but it could be a challenging prospect given Democratic opposition.

"Under our current laws, every child has an equal access to the same education, but right now, again, Elon Musk has taking a wrecking ball to this and saying 'nope, not anymore,' Not anymore in Oregon, not anymore in the United States, you’re out of luck," said Rep. Andrea Salinas, D-Ore.

Some Republicans view the dismantling of the department as an opportunity to redirect funds to states and promote school choice, citing declining test scores as a justification for change.

"Over the years we’ve seen Republican Presidents and Democrat Presidents pass bills like 'common core' and 'race to the top', 'no child left behind', that have bloated the federal role in education. Now it’s time to unwind it," said Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind.

Fired employees have been instructed to telework until March 21, after which they will be placed on administrative leave. The efforts to dismantle the agency are expected to face legal challenges.