WASHINGTON — Linda McMahon outlined a restructuring plan for the Education Department on Thursday that aligns with President Donald Trump’s ambition to restructure the agency. During her confirmation hearing, she expressed her commitment to “reorient” the department while aiming to maintain several significant programs.
When probed about certain initiatives, McMahon reassured that crucial programs such as Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell grants for underprivileged college students, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program would remain intact. She emphasized the necessity of receiving Congressional approval to dismantle the Education Department completely. “We’d like to put forth a proposal that garners support from our senators and Congress, leading to a more effective Department of Education,” she stated, acknowledging that such a move would necessitate legislative backing.
McMahon indicated that the administration’s intent is not to strip funding from essential programs but rather to enhance their efficiency. She suggested that some initiatives, like the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, might be more effectively managed by the Department of Health and Human Services, which already oversees disability-related issues. Furthermore, she proposed relocating the Office for Civil Rights to the Justice Department, asserting that this could provide more effective oversight.
Democrats pressed McMahon on her readiness to comply with directives from Trump or Elon Musk, especially if they conflict with existing Congressional mandates. This concern is particularly relevant as Trump’s administration contemplates reductions in department spending, much of which is determined by legislative action. McMahon promised to adhere to existing laws and respect the authority of Congress. “We will certainly allocate the funds that Congress has authorized,” she confirmed during her testimony before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
The confirmation hearing experienced disruptions, with Capitol Police removing an audience member who spoke on the importance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to safeguard students with disabilities. Throughout the morning, other individuals were also escorted out for similar interruptions.
A forthcoming plan from the White House may instruct the education secretary to legally dismantle the agency as much as possible while seeking Congressional approval for complete abolition. In a recent White House press briefing, Trump remarked that he wanted McMahon “to put herself out of a job,” indicating his views on the department’s future.
Without a formal order to shut down the Education Department, there have already been considerable changes within its operations. Employees from Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have been accessing the Education Department’s databases, identifying personnel for layoffs, and terminating contracts. Notably, the department has cut $900 million in contracts for the office that monitors student progress, raising concerns over the ramifications for educational research and equity monitoring.
Reports indicated that the department dismissed at least 39 employees who were in their probationary period, according to a workers’ union. These terminations encompassed civil rights advocates, specialists in special education, and officials overseeing student aid. Many of the dismissal letters cited that their continued employment would be against the public interest.
Trump has proposed a different perspective regarding the office’s civil rights duties. His administration has directed the office to prioritize antisemitism-related complaints, sparking investigations into educational institutions that permit transgender athletes to compete in women’s sports.
The president has not clarified whether he intends to maintain the essential functions of the Education Department, which distributes billions annually to schools, manages a $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio, and enforces educational civil rights.
In a recent letter to McMahon, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim inquired about her support of Trump’s agenda and the actions she would take to fulfill it. They specifically requested her assurances to safeguard the department’s student loan services and civil rights office, among other highlighted initiatives.
A longtime ally of Trump, McMahon became a billionaire as the CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment before transitioning to a political career. She has previously run unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in Connecticut on two occasions. Her financial support for Trump’s campaigns has been significant, and he appointed her to oversee the Small Business Administration during his first term.
Despite her business experience, McMahon’s track record in education is less extensive than that of her predecessors. She served a year on Connecticut’s Board of Education and holds a longstanding position as a trustee at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, Connecticut. McMahon advocates for broader school choice options and emphasizes the importance of apprenticeships and alternatives to conventional college education.
During a 2009 hearing for her position on Connecticut’s education board, she shared her initial ambition to teach but took a different path into law and subsequently built WWE with her husband, Vince.
Organizations opposing McMahon’s appointment include the National Education Association, the largest teachers’ union in the country, and various advocacy groups that advocate for stronger Title IX protections for sexual assault victims. Conversely, Republicans commend her business expertise, believing she is well-suited to redirect the trajectory of American education. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the health and education committee, expressed confidence in McMahon’s readiness to empower parents and reform an Education Department he believes has strayed from its mission.
