Happy New Year! While you were probably recovering from holiday festivities, the Trump administration was busy cooking up a gift for millions of Americans struggling with student debt: starting January 7, the Department of Education will begin garnishing wages from people in default on their student loans.
WHAT’S GOING ON: According to The Washington Post, the government plans to start with around 1,000 defaulted borrowers, then gradually ramp up to over 5 million people. By law, the Education Department can snatch up to 15 percent of a borrower’s after-tax income. That’s right—after you’ve already paid taxes, the government can take another chunk to pay off that degree you were told would be your ticket to the middle class.
THE DETAILS: Over 42 million Americans currently have student loans, and the number of people defaulting is expected to double soon. This isn’t surprising when you consider the absurd cost of higher education in America, which continues to climb even as the actual value of a college degree seems to be declining. Wages haven’t kept pace with tuition, housing costs are through the roof, and now the government wants its cut before you can even pay rent.
BUT BUT BUT: Didn’t Trump campaign heavily on affordability? On making life easier for working Americans? (SURPRISE) Turns out “economic populism” only applies when you’re railing against immigrants or trade deals—not when it comes to actually helping people crushed by the predatory higher education system. Garnishing wages from people already struggling enough to be in default isn’t solving a problem; it’s squeezing blood from stones.
WHY IT MATTERS: This is yet another example of the ruling class treating debt as a moral failing rather than a systemic crisis. College was sold to an entire generation as mandatory for success, costs exploded, wages stagnated, and now the hammer comes down on people who trusted the system. The government isn’t asking why so many people can’t pay—they’re just coming for whatever money is left.
BOTTOM LINE: If you or someone you know has student loans in default, January 7 is the start date. The administration is legally required to give 30 days notice before garnishment begins. Consider this your heads up that “America First” apparently doesn’t include the 42 million Americans drowning in student debt.