Linda McMahon Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Education
Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), turned into showed as the U.S. Secretary of Education on Monday night through a 51-45 birthday party-line vote in the Senate.
Four senators—Republicans Cynthia Lummis and Shelley Moore Capito, together with Democrats Elissa Slotkin and Peter Welch—had been absent from the vote.
Shortly after her confirmation, McMahon was sworn in at the Department of Education. In a publish on X, she reaffirmed her dedication to wearing out President Donald Trump’s imaginative and prescient for education, vowing to return instructional manipulate to the states, enlarge college choice, and reduce bureaucratic purple tape.
This marks McMahon’s second position within the Trump administration, having previously led the Small Business Administration during his first time period. Now, she faces an unusual undertaking: dismantling the very branch she has been appointed to supervise.
At a White House event closing month, Trump underscored his goal. “I advised Linda, ‘I want you to do a awesome job—and then put your self out of a job,’” he stated, emphasizing his administration’s push to return training oversight to the states.
A Controversial Path Forward
Sources inform ABC News that Trump is predicted to sign an executive order as early as this week, directing McMahon to lessen the Department of Education’s position and collaborate with Congress to formally put off it. While this aligns with Trump’s long-standing marketing campaign promise, professionals point out that this type of circulate calls for congressional approval, where it’s miles not going to skip with out a 60-vote Senate majority.
During her February affirmation listening to, McMahon stated that dismantling the branch might require legislative motion. “We’d like to try this right,” she said, signaling her purpose to work with lawmakers.
McMahon’s Educational Background and Priorities
McMahon, 76, holds a teaching certification from East Carolina University and has been a vocal proponent of apprenticeship programs, college preference, and parental rights in training. She has also served on the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart University, wherein she presently holds the location of Treasurer, and turned into a member of the Connecticut State Board of Education in 2009.
Supporters argue that McMahon’s management will convey an awful lot-wanted disruption to an company they view as ineffective. “Secretary McMahon is a fierce recommend for our children,” stated Rep. Tim Walberg, chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee. “Her enjoy in education and commercial enterprise will assist set college students up for fulfillment.”
Concerns from Opponents
However, McMahon’s affirmation has been met with sturdy opposition from public training advocates, civil rights corporations, and congressional Democrats. Critics warn that her efforts to scale back the department could jeopardize key federal training applications, such as help for college students with disabilities and occasional-earnings households.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand expressed subject approximately the potential effects. “I fear that dismantling the Department of Education will harm students with unique needs, restrict get right of entry to to better schooling for low-income families, and strip critical investment from public colleges,” she said.
Sen. Bernie Sanders, the ranking member of the Senate’s training committee, additionally voiced alarm. “If you are a running-class or low-earnings American, the help your community relies on could be worn out,” he instructed ABC News.
The NAACP and different civil rights companies strongly antagonistic McMahon’s affirmation, caution that casting off the department ought to weaken protections for marginalized college students. “This is an employer we can not come up with the money for to dismantle,” NAACP President Derrick Johnson stated in a declaration. “It finances public faculties, advocates for instructors, and enforces essential civil rights legal guidelines.”
McMahon’s Reassurances
In response to criticism, McMahon has confident lawmakers that her efforts will not reduce public faculty funding for the 50 million American students who rely upon it. Instead, she proposes moving important capabilities—consisting of civil rights protections and aid for students with disabilities—to other federal organizations.
During her confirmation listening to, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester pressed McMahon on why she believes moving those obligations to different departments could be beneficial. “Why do you suspect it’s higher to transport protections for kids with disabilities into a bigger enterprise with extraordinary priorities?” she asked.
McMahon’s response was direct: “Because what we’re doing now isn’t working.”
“The Department of Education became hooked up in 1980, and since then, we’ve spent almost one trillion greenbacks whilst educational performance maintains to decline,” she argued. “Ensuring identical get admission to to excellent training is essential, but I trust it’s best dealt with at the kingdom degree.”
As McMahon takes the helm, the war over the destiny of federal training policy is simply starting.
