On Monday, Linda McMahon was confirmed as the Secretary of Education by the GOP-led Senate. President Donald Trump, who has expressed interest in reducing the Education Department’s role to give more power to states in managing schools, nominated McMahon for the position. The Senate approved her nomination with a 51-45 vote, making her the 20th Cabinet pick to be confirmed and the 21st overall nominee for a leading role. In her new role, McMahon aims to fulfill Trump’s vision of improving U.S. education, decentralizing control to states, and promoting school choice to reduce bureaucratic hurdles for students.
McMahon, a former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment and previous administrator of the Small Business Administration, expressed her commitment to serving as the 13th Secretary of Education under President Trump. She emphasized her dedication to making American education globally competitive, returning control to states, and enhancing school choice opportunities for students. Despite Trump’s earlier indications of dismantling the Education Department, he selected McMahon for the role, stating his intention for her to eventually eliminate the position.
Prior to her confirmation, McMahon appeared before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, where she outlined her plans to support Trump’s educational objectives. While some senators raised concerns about her limited experience in the education sector beyond her tenure on the Connecticut State Board of Education, others praised her focus on revitalizing the American education system. HELP Chairman Bill Cassidy commended McMahon for her dedication, while Senator Bernie Sanders expressed reservations about potential funding shifts away from public schools.
In her new position, McMahon is expected to work towards empowering local educational institutions to cater to the diverse needs of students effectively. Majority Leader John Thune highlighted McMahon’s approach of prioritizing individual student requirements and supporting decision-making at the school level. With her confirmation, McMahon steps into a crucial role tasked with reshaping the future of education in the United States in alignment with the Trump administration’s priorities.