On Monday, Linda McMahon, a prominent Republican donor and former professional wrestling executive, was confirmed to serve as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Education. This appointment comes at a time when Trump has made it a key goal of his administration to eliminate the department altogether. The president expressed hope that McMahon would “put herself out of a job” by leading initiatives aimed at reducing or potentially abolishing the department.
The Senate confirmed McMahon with a vote of 51-45, marking her as the president’s 22nd nominee to be confirmed by the chamber since his inauguration. In a statement prior to the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune praised McMahon's capabilities, stating, “I look forward to working with Linda McMahon to limit bureaucracy, empower state and local governments, and let good teachers do what they’re best at and what they love to do, which is helping students succeed.”
Linda McMahon has a well-documented background in politics and business. She is the board chair of the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank established in 2021 by McMahon, Larry Kudlow, and other advisors from the first Trump administration. Prior to her recent appointment, McMahon served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, having been appointed in 2017 and resigning in 2019 to lead the America First Action, a pro-Trump super PAC.
While McMahon may be expected to oversee significant changes within the department, the complete elimination of the Department of Education poses considerable challenges. Shutting down the department would necessitate an act of Congress, and given its role in distributing federal funding to nearly every public K-12 school in the nation, such an endeavor is unlikely to find widespread support. Additionally, the department manages a staggering $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, highlighting its critical function in the education system.
The Department of Education has also been under scrutiny, particularly from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency. As reported by CNN, previous attempts to dismantle the department have failed to gain traction on Capitol Hill. Recently, the department offered buyouts of up to $25,000 to select employees, with a deadline for acceptance set for 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday. An email sent to the agency's workforce indicated that this offer was made “in advance of a very significant” reduction in headcount.
Eligible employees for the buyout must have been employed by the government continuously for at least three years. However, the specific target for the workforce reduction remains unclear. A spokesperson for the department confirmed the authenticity of the email but did not provide further details. As the department continues to navigate these changes, McMahon's leadership will be closely watched as she embarks on her new role.
In summary, Linda McMahon's confirmation as Secretary of the Department of Education signals a potential shift in educational policy and administration under the Trump administration, emphasizing a significant reduction in federal influence over education.
