Linda McMahon, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be Secretary of Education, testifies during her confirmation hearing on Thursday in Washington, DC.Win McNamee/Getty Images
Win McNamee/Getty Images
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Linda McMahon’s Nomination
Who: Linda McMahon
Nominated for: Secretary of Education
Background: Known for her role in building World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) into a business giant, Linda McMahon also led the U.S. Small Business Administration for part of President Trump’s first term.
Insights on McMahon’s Educational Views
- McMahon’s experience in education includes a brief tenure on Connecticut’s State Board of Education.
- Her views on education policy have recently become clearer, with a focus on expanding school choice and career and technical education.
- Her leadership at WWE spanned several decades, including a role as CEO.
- If confirmed, McMahon will manage a department that is already facing proposed cuts by the administration.
Department of Education’s Role
The Department of Education is tasked with safeguarding student civil rights, managing federal student loans, and allocating funds to schools serving low-income communities. More information on the department’s functions can be found here.
Confirmation Hearing Highlights
Linda McMahon, nominated as Secretary of Education, described the public education system as “in decline” during her Senate hearing, emphasizing a desire to “invest in teachers not Washington bureaucrats.”
The hearing, marked by protests and intense questioning, focused less on McMahon’s credentials and more on the administration’s plans to reduce the department’s scope.
McMahon confirmed that her role would involve creating a blueprint for potentially closing the department, though such an action would require congressional approval.
Concerns about potential cuts to federal education funding, including Title I and IDEA, were addressed, with McMahon asserting that these programs could be efficiently managed elsewhere.
Senator Maggie Hassan questioned the implications of transferring special education to another agency, raising concerns about its management under different leadership.
The department has already begun reducing its workforce, with recent layoffs and administrative leaves linked to a presidential executive order targeting diversity programs.
School Choice Debate
The hearing also tackled the topic of school choice, with McMahon supporting the idea of parents using public funds for private education options. This aligns with President Trump’s push for expanded school choice, despite mixed evidence on its effectiveness.
Rural Republicans expressed concerns about the feasibility of school choice in less populated areas, highlighting the lack of options available.
McMahon acknowledged public schools as foundational to American education, citing their historical significance.
Current data shows that nearly 50 million students attend public schools, compared to 4.7 million in private institutions.
Research and Diversity Program Concerns
Significant cuts to educational research programs were discussed, with concerns raised about their impact on understanding effective educational practices.
McMahon expressed a desire to further study these programs, while others criticized the cuts as detrimental to educational progress.
The hearing also addressed the administration’s stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, with McMahon noting the potential for these initiatives to inadvertently increase segregation.
Concerns were raised about the future of DEI programs and related educational content, such as African American History courses, under the current administration’s policies.
Antisemitism and Campus Safety
Senators on both sides of the aisle questioned McMahon about rising antisemitism on college campuses. McMahon committed to using the department’s authority to combat this issue and supported the idea of forming a committee to address antisemitism.
New Hampshire Democrat Maggie Hassan criticized the contradictory stance of using the department’s enforcement powers while simultaneously advocating for its reduction.
The broader debate over the department’s future reflects ongoing questions about the national commitment to education and its evolving role.
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