Linda McMahon informed senators that, in her view, an act of Congress would be necessary to eliminate the Department of Education. She emphasized that the Trump administration aims to approach this process carefully, aiming to craft a viable plan that can garner legislative support. During her confirmation hearing, McMahon softened the rhetoric used by President Trump regarding the elimination of the department. She pledged to “reorient” its functions rather than eliminate critical services, stating that “defunding is not the goal here.”
“We want to ensure that we present a plan that senators and Congress can support, resulting in a more effective Department of Education,” McMahon remarked. However, she acknowledged that dismantling the department would require congressional intervention. Her statements contrasted sharply with Trump’s recent declarations, where he expressed the desire for an immediate closure of the department.
During her opening remarks, a disruption occurred in the audience, leading to the removal of an individual advocating for the significance of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which safeguards students with disabilities. The White House is contemplating a strategic plan that would authorize the education secretary to reduce the department’s functions to the fullest extent legally possible while urging Congress for complete dissolution. In a recent news conference, Trump advocated for McMahon to effectively eliminate her own position.
Despite the absence of a formal closure directive, the Trump administration has already begun to reform various components of the department’s operations. Personnel from Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency have been reviewing Education Department databases to identify employees for potential layoffs and are canceling contracts. Recently, the department cut $900 million in contracts related to tracking student progress in American schools, raising concerns about the future of its research and achievement gap monitoring capabilities.
On Wednesday, the department terminated at least 39 employees who were still in the first year of their employment, according to union reports. These dismissals included staff working in civil rights, special education, and student aid. Termination notices indicated that retaining these employees was deemed not beneficial for the public.
Trump has articulated a different perspective regarding the office’s civil rights mission. Under his governance, there has been a directive to prioritize antisemitism complaints and investigate educational institutions and sports leagues that permit transgender athletes to compete on women’s teams. As McMahon faced questions during the confirmation hearing from the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, Democrats were preparing to scrutinize her readiness to implement Trump’s proposed changes.
Trump has remained silent on whether he intends to safeguard the department’s primary functions, which include distributing billions of dollars to schools, managing a sizable student loan portfolio, and upholding civil rights in education. In a recent correspondence, Democratic Senators Elizabeth Warren and Andy Kim outlined their intent to question McMahon about her support for Trump’s agenda and the specific actions she plans to take.
McMahon, a close ally of Trump and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, transitioned into a political career after leaving wrestling in 2009. Despite facing two unsuccessful Senate bids in Connecticut, she has contributed extensively to Trump’s political campaigns and, during his first term, was appointed to run the Small Business Administration.
Her background in education is less extensive compared to previous secretaries, having served just one year on the Connecticut Board of Education and holding a long-standing trustee position at Sacred Heart University. McMahon advocates for enhanced school choice initiatives and emphasizes alternatives to traditional college pathways.
At a 2009 hearing for the Connecticut education board, she disclosed her initial aspiration to become a teacher, although she followed a different path that led her to practice law and build WWE with her spouse, Vince. Various organizations, such as the National Education Association and advocacy groups focused on Title IX protections, are exerting pressure on senators to reject McMahon’s nomination.
Republicans, on the other hand, commend her business expertise and assert that she is a strong candidate to steer American education in a new direction. Sen. Bill Cassidy, who chairs the health and education committee, met with McMahon in January, expressing confidence that she is ready to empower parents and reform an Education Department that has deviated from its primary objectives.
