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The Excerpt: Thursday, March 13th, 2025 – A Look at Trump’s Policies and their Impact
Introduction (Taylor Wilson):
Good morning. I’m Taylor Wilson, and welcome to "The Excerpt." Today is Thursday, March 13th, 2025. On today’s show, we delve into the multifaceted consequences of President Donald Trump’s recent policy decisions. We’ll examine the controversial halving of the Education Department, the escalating trade war with Canada and the European Union, and the looming deadline for another round of federal layoffs. We’ll also touch on environmental regulations and the postponed SpaceX mission. Let’s begin.
Education Department Cuts – Interview with Zach Schermele:
President Trump’s move to drastically reduce the Education Department by half has sent shockwaves across the country. What are the implications for American educators and students? I spoke with USA TODAY Education Reporter Zach Schermele to unpack this complex issue.
Taylor Wilson: Zach, thanks for joining us amidst what I know is a hectic week.
Zach Schermele: Thank you, Taylor. Glad to be here.
Taylor Wilson: Let’s get right to it. Tell us about the layoffs announced at the Education Department.
Zach Schermele: The announcement came late Tuesday, just after employees were told not to report to work on Wednesday. The agency is slated to be cut by roughly 50%. According to preliminary estimates from the union representing federal workers in the Education Department, some of the most affected offices include the Federal Student Aid Office. This office is crucial, as it oversees federal student loans, ensuring students can afford college and assisting them with the FAFSA – the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The Office for Civil Rights also faces severe dismantling, with entire regional offices being shut down and staff laid off. This will have a significant impact on the enforcement of anti-discrimination policies in schools.
Taylor Wilson: What’s your reaction to President Trump’s defense of these cuts?
President Trump (audio clip): We have a dream, and you know what the dream is? We’re going to move the Department of Education. We’re going to move education into the states so that the states, instead of bureaucrats working in Washington, can run education.
Zach Schermele: The president’s statement oversimplifies the role of the Federal Education Department. It’s not about controlling curriculum, but about ensuring students can access and succeed in education – from K-12 to higher education. The department works to ensure students feel safe, and that they can graduate with valuable credentials. The notion that the federal government is somehow overstepping its bounds is not entirely accurate given its vital role in funding and oversight.
Taylor Wilson: Secretary of Education Linda McMahon has stressed that congressionally-appropriated money, including financial aid, will not be affected. How do you see those comments landing?
Zach Schermele: Many people have experienced difficulties filling out the FAFSA, impacting their ability to receive financial aid. The previous administration worked to correct these problems. However, these problems were exacerbated by staffing issues within the Federal Student Aid Office. With a smaller workforce, the agency’s ability to fulfill congressional mandates is uncertain. There are many former and current staff members who believe this smaller agency can’t deliver the services required.
Taylor Wilson: What other impacts do you foresee?
Zach Schermele: The Office for Civil Rights plays a vital role in preventing discrimination in schools. We saw an immediate freeze on investigations into discrimination-related complaints, particularly those related to disabilities, when Trump initially took office. While those investigations have resumed, the cuts to the Office for Civil Rights will certainly impact its ability to function. What happens to families who were working with attorneys to mediate complaints rather than filing lawsuits? Where do they go now?
Taylor Wilson: Could Trump dissolve the Education Department altogether? Is that even legal?
Zach Schermele: The Education Department is a federal agency, and the president does not have unilateral authority to abolish federal agencies. Only Congress has that power. Given the current political climate, it is highly unlikely that a bill to abolish the department would pass, as Trump would need the support of Democrats in the Senate.
Taylor Wilson: Zach, thank you for the great breakdown.
Zach Schermele: Thank you, Taylor.
Taylor Wilson: For a deeper look at these issues, tune in on Sunday for a special episode with Zach and my colleague, Dana Taylor.
Trade War – Canada and EU Retaliate:
Canada and the European Union have responded swiftly to Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum imports with retaliatory tariffs of their own. This escalating trade war has rattled markets. President Sheinbaum of Mexico is taking a wait-and-see approach. Trump defended his tariffs and even hinted at higher levies. U.S. stocks initially rose but have since fallen due to the constant news of tariffs and job cuts. Bruce Kasman, J.P. Morgan’s chief economist, estimates a 40% chance of a U.S. recession this year.
Environmental Rollbacks:
The Trump administration is also rolling back numerous environmental regulations, including emissions limits on power plants, protections for waterways, and limits on tailpipe pollution. This aligns with Trump’s “energy dominance” agenda. The EPA aims to reverse dozens of Biden-era regulations.
Federal Layoffs – Interview with Sarah D. Wire:
For many federal workers, the deadline for the next wave of layoffs is a major concern. I spoke with USA TODAY’s Senior National Political Correspondent Sarah D. Wire for more.
Taylor Wilson: Sarah, thanks for joining us.
Sarah D. Wire: Thanks for having me.
Taylor Wilson: Can you give us a snapshot of what we’ve seen so far on layoffs?
Sarah D. Wire: First, there was the buyout offer. About 750,000 employees took it, which was fewer than the administration hoped for. Then, in mid-February, the layoffs started. The White House hasn’t disclosed exact numbers, but we estimate it’s in the tens of thousands, affecting agencies across the country.
Taylor Wilson: What is the significance of today’s deadline?
Sarah D. Wire: Today, agencies must submit their workforce reduction plans to the White House. We’ll likely see specific numbers for each agency, layoff locations, and areas of focus.
Taylor Wilson: Were any of these plans already underway?
Sarah D. Wire: Yes. Half of the Department of Education employees were laid off on Wednesday. The Department of Veterans Affairs is laying off about 16% of their staff (76,000 people). NOAA laid off about 1,000 people, or 20% of their staff. NASA is shuttering several offices, including the Office of the Chief Scientist.
Taylor Wilson: What are some potential downstream impacts?
Sarah D. Wire: The biggest is the reduction in services. Americans rely on the federal government daily for things like food and workplace safety. Less staff means less service.
Taylor Wilson: How does this fit into the broader effort from Trump and Elon Musk to control federal employees?
Sarah D. Wire: Trump promised massive government cuts and demonized federal employees during his campaign. He’s now dramatically overhauling the federal workforce. He’s closing smaller agencies and placing Elon Musk and his allies as liaisons in most major agencies, seeking to automate and use AI.
Taylor Wilson: Is the federal workforce actually bloated?
Sarah D. Wire: The federal workforce size has remained relatively constant since the late 1960s. While the US population has grown, the number of federal employees has not kept pace. The same number of people are serving over 100 million more Americans.
Taylor Wilson: Sarah D. Wire, thank you for your insights.
Sarah D. Wire: Thanks for having me.
SpaceX Launch Postponed:
SpaceX and NASA postponed the launch to bring astronauts back from the International Space Station due to a ground issue on the hydraulic system. Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, who were featured in a recent deep dive, have spent nine months in orbit.
Kara Swisher Interview Teaser:
Elon Musk, one of President Trump’s closest advisors, wields considerable power.
Kara Swisher (audio clip): I’ve talked to various people close to him, and most people are terrified of him, of retaliation, if they speak out in any way.
Taylor Wilson: That was Kara Swisher, host of "Pivot" and "On with Kara Swisher." I sat down with her to discuss Musk. That episode will be available at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.
Conclusion (Taylor Wilson):
Thanks for listening to "The Excerpt." You can find the podcast wherever you get your audio. I’m Taylor Wilson, and I’ll be back tomorrow with more.
