Senate Confirms Linda McMahon as Education Secretary \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ The Senate confirmed Linda McMahon as Education Secretary in a 51-45 vote, placing the former WWE executive in charge of a department Trump has vowed to dismantle. McMahon will oversee education funding and reforms while balancing Trump’s push to shrink federal oversight. Critics argue she is unqualified, while supporters say she will bring needed reforms.
Linda McMahon Confirmed as Education Secretary: Quick Looks
- Senate Confirms McMahon – The 51-45 vote secures her position as Education Secretary.
- Tasked With Shrinking Department – Trump has vowed to dismantle the Education Department, making McMahon’s role unique.
- Federal Funding at Risk – Schools face potential billions in budget cuts under Trump’s education policies.
- Diversity Programs Under Fire – Colleges must eliminate DEI programs or risk losing federal aid.
- McMahon’s Limited Education Experience – The former WWE executive has minimal education policy background.
- Trump’s School Choice Agenda – McMahon is expected to push for expanded charter schools and vouchers.
- Elon Musk’s Influence – His Department of Government Efficiency has already cut education contracts deemed “wasteful.”
- Possible Executive Order – The White House may order McMahon to reduce the department’s power further.
Deep Look
Senate Confirms McMahon in Contentious Vote
The Senate voted 51-45 on Monday to confirm Linda McMahon as Secretary of Education, officially placing the former WWE executive atop a department that President Donald Trump has vowed to overhaul or eliminate.
McMahon, 76, steps into a highly politicized role where she will be expected to enact Trump’s aggressive education agenda, which includes defunding diversity programs, expanding school choice, and reducing the department’s influence over schools.
Despite limited experience in education leadership, McMahon has served on Connecticut’s state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University. However, her primary background is in business and politics, having co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and later leading the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term.
Balancing Reform and Elimination
McMahon faces a unique challenge—managing a department that Trump wants to dismantle.
Trump has repeatedly criticized the Education Department, arguing it has been overtaken by liberal ideology. He has pledged to shut it down and has tasked McMahon with reducing its scope as much as possible.
At her confirmation hearing, McMahon distanced herself from Trump’s harsh rhetoric, insisting that her goal is to make the department more efficient, not eliminate it outright. She acknowledged that only Congress has the power to shut it down, but she did suggest moving some responsibilities to other agencies, such as transferring disability rights enforcement to the Department of Health and Human Services.
Meanwhile, the White House has been considering an executive order that would instruct McMahon to cut the department’s operations to the legal minimum while urging Congress to dissolve it entirely. Some of McMahon’s allies reportedly pressed the administration to hold off on issuing the order until after her confirmation to avoid backlash.
Trump’s Aggressive Education Overhaul Already Underway
Even before McMahon’s confirmation, Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)—led by adviser Elon Musk—has been actively dismantling what it calls “wasteful” federal education programs.
The administration has already eliminated dozens of contracts and cut funding to programs it views as promoting progressive ideologies. Among the casualties is the Institute of Education Sciences, which tracks academic progress and school performance nationwide.
These cuts have sparked legal concerns, as some of the eliminated programs were mandated by federal law. At her hearing, McMahon downplayed the impact, calling the cuts an “audit” rather than a major restructuring. She also pledged to ensure that funds allocated by Congress are used appropriately.
Funding Battles Loom as Schools Face Compliance Deadlines
Under Trump’s directive, schools and universities face new funding restrictions tied to compliance with his executive orders on diversity programs.
Institutions were given a February 28 deadline to remove or restructure programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) or risk losing federal funding. The Education Department clarified on Saturday that merely renaming programs would not be enough—schools must fully eliminate race-based policies to comply.
This has led to legal battles, as some colleges argue that Trump’s directives conflict with federal anti-discrimination laws.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warned that McMahon’s tenure could jeopardize billions in funding for public schools, stating:
“Americans believe in public education. They don’t want to see the Department of Education abolished. If the Trump administration follows through on these cuts, schools will lose billions in funding.”
A Department at a Crossroads
The Department of Education, created in 1979, primarily disburses federal funds to K-12 schools and colleges, managing a $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. While education policy is largely controlled by states, the federal government influences funding and regulations for schools nationwide.
Trump’s longstanding criticism of the department stems from his belief that it enforces left-wing policies on schools, a claim echoed by many Republicans. During his presidential campaign, he pledged to eliminate the department and shift its responsibilities to the states.
Despite this, federal funding remains crucial to many schools, making McMahon’s leadership a delicate balancing act—implementing Trump’s vision while ensuring the department continues serving students and institutions.
Who is Linda McMahon?
A billionaire businesswoman, McMahon co-founded WWE with her husband Vince McMahon, building it into a global entertainment empire. She left the company in 2009 to launch a political career, running twice for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut but losing both times.
She later became a key financial backer of Trump’s presidential campaigns and served as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from 2017 to 2019. In that role, she focused on deregulation and small business growth, aligning closely with Trump’s economic policies.
Her appointment as Education Secretary raised eyebrows, given her lack of direct experience in public education leadership. Supporters argue that her executive background makes her a strong reformer, while critics fear she lacks the expertise needed to oversee the nation’s education system.
What’s Next?
✔ McMahon will begin reviewing the department’s budget and identifying potential cutbacks.
✔ The White House may still issue an executive order to further shrink the department.
✔ Schools and universities will continue adjusting to new funding rules, facing potential legal challenges.
✔ Congress will debate funding allocations, with Democrats fighting to preserve key education programs.
As McMahon takes the reins, the future of the Education Department hangs in the balance. Whether she executes Trump’s plan to downsize the agency or finds a middle ground remains to be seen.
Senate Confirms Linda
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