(DCNF)—President Donald Trump on Wednesday didn’t fall for NBC News White House reporter Kelly O’Donnell’s attempt to guilt trip him for firing nearly half of the federal employees at the Department of Education(ED.
ED eliminated 1,315 of its 4,133 employees on Tuesday as part of the Trump administration’s effort to cut wasteful and fraudulent spending conducted by the federal government. O’Donnell, during Trump’s Oval Office meeting with Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin, suggested that Trump should take responsibility for stripping several “civil servants” of their jobs, prompting the president to remind her that they are keeping the best employees who conduct their jobs efficiently.
“Would you describe for us, is this meeting your vision by cutting about half the workforce and what responsibility do you feel for the civil servants who have now lost their jobs? Many of them worked at the Department of Education during your first term,” O’Donnell said.
“I do, I feel very badly, but many of them don’t work at all. Many of them never showed up to work, unfortunately, and that’s not good,” Trump said. “And when we cut, you know, we go and that’s what I had a number of meetings with a number of people over the past couple of months, when we cut, we want to cut, but we want to cut the people who aren’t working or not doing a good job. We’re keeping the best people and [Education Secretary] Linda McMahon is a real professional, a very sophisticated businessperson and she cut a large number, but she kept the best people and we’ll see how it all works out.”
The president stated that the education system in the U.S. is falling behind on a national scale and thus should be handled by the states.
“We have a dream, and you know what the dream is? We’re gonna move the Department of Education, we’re gonna move education into the states. So that the states, instead of the bureaucrats working in Washington, so that the states can run education,” Trump said. “And, you have Norway, you have Denmark, you have Sweden, you have various countries that do very well. You also have China which does very well in education, and that’s a very big tribute to China, I must say … So we can’t blame size, anymore. Normally you would blame size, [the U.S.] is too big, how can you [fix education].”
“But China does it, so we think when you move it back to Iowa and Indiana and all the states that run so well … those will be as good as Denmark, those will be as good as Norway, as good as any,” the president continued.
A senior ED official told the Daily Caller News foundation that the cut will allow the department to begin the process of allowing more education oversight at the state level.
Federal, state and local governments spend roughly $857.2 billion on K-12 public education annually, while the federal government spent a record $190 billion in aid to schools since the COVID-19 pandemic without seeing a major uptick in students’ academic performances. The Nation’s Report Card found in January that one-third of eighth graders failed to reach the the National Assessment of Educational Progress’s (NAEP) reading assessment benchmark in 2024, the largest percentage ever recorded, while 40% of fourth grade students tested below the NAEP’s reading proficiency.
Since the pandemic, students fell behind in math by over half-a-year and also struggled in reading and science, an analysis by The New York Times found in March. School closure rates and results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress found that students in remote learning settings were worse off on their test scores than those who were granted in-person learning.
Trump previously expressed plans to shut down ED entirely and return the issue of education back to the states, leading enraged Democrat members of Congress attempting to enter the Ed building on Feb. 7.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
Bypass Big Tech Censors
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
