Linda McMahon Narrowly Confirmed, Announces ‘Final Mission’

The End

Linda McMahon has been confirmed as the new U.S. Secretary of Education with a mission that could ultimately eliminate her own position and reshape American education for generations to come.

Top Takeaways

  • Linda McMahon was confirmed as Education Secretary by a narrow 51-45 party-line Senate vote.
  • McMahon’s primary mission is to work toward dissolving the Department of Education and returning educational control to states.
  • Her agenda focuses on promoting school choice, parental rights, apprenticeship programs, and workforce development.
  • McMahon brings experience as a former WWE co-founder, Small Business Administration head, and holder of teaching credentials.
  • Congressional approval with 60 Senate votes would be required to fully eliminate the Department of Education.

Senate Confirms McMahon in Party-Line Vote

The U.S. Senate has confirmed Linda McMahon as the new Secretary of Education by a vote of 51-45, strictly along party lines. Four senators missed the vote: Republicans Cynthia Lummis and Shelley Moore Capito, along with Democrats Elissa Slotkin and Peter Welch. McMahon, who previously served as head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, now assumes leadership of a department that President Trump has explicitly stated he wants eliminated.

McMahon, who co-founded World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) with her husband Vince McMahon, brings a business-oriented perspective to the role. She holds a teaching certification from East Carolina University and has served on both the Connecticut State Board of Education and the Board of Trustees at Sacred Heart University, credentials that provide her with educational policy experience to complement her business background.

“Final Mission” to Dissolve the Department

In her first communication to department staff, McMahon made it clear that significant changes lie ahead. She informed employees that the department must embark on what she called a “momentous final mission” as it undergoes a “historic overhaul.” This language aligns with President Trump’s campaign promises to drastically reduce federal influence over education and return control to the states.

“I told Linda, ‘Linda, I hope you do a great job and put yourself out of a job. I want her to put herself out of a job, Education Department.” – President Trump

President Trump is expected to sign an executive order directing the reduction of the education department, but fully eliminating the agency would require congressional approval with at least 60 votes in the Senate. McMahon has acknowledged this requirement, stating, “We’d like to do this right, that certainly does require congressional action.” Despite the procedural challenges, she appears fully committed to carrying out the president’s vision.

A Three-Pronged Education Vision

McMahon’s approach to education reform is based on three fundamental principles. First, she believes parents should have primary decision-making authority in their children’s education through school choice initiatives. Second, she wants to refocus curriculum on core subjects like math, reading, science, and history rather than diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Third, she aims to better align post-secondary education with workforce needs.

“My vision is aligned with the President’s: to send education back to the states and empower all parents to choose an excellent education for their children. The Department of Education’s role in this new era of accountability is to restore the rightful role of state oversight in education and to end the overreach from Washington.” – Linda McMahon

McMahon has been critical of the Department of Education’s performance since its establishment in 1980, pointing to declining student outcomes despite significant taxpayer funding. She argues that removing bureaucratic barriers will empower parents, provide more autonomy for local communities, and free teachers from excessive federal micromanagement. Her leadership team includes Penny Schwinn, who has been nominated as deputy secretary of education.

Public Opinion Remains Divided

The proposal to eliminate the Department of Education has existed since the Reagan administration, but according to a Meredith College Poll, there is limited broad public support for such a move. However, President Trump has consistently advocated for this approach, having proposed significant budget cuts to the department during his first term and making its elimination a campaign promise during his 2024 run.

McMahon faces the unprecedented task of potentially dismantling the very department she now leads. As she stated upon her confirmation, “I am prepared to lead the Department in this transformational time and embrace the challenge to improve the education system for the more than 100 million children and college students who deserve better.” This approach represents one of the most significant potential shifts in federal education policy in decades.

Sources:

  1. WWE co-founder Linda McMahon confirmed as secretary of education
  2. Linda McMahon confirmed to lead U.S. Department of Education, calls overhaul of the department ‘final mission’
  3. McMahon on Day 1 launches ‘final mission’ to send education back to the states
  4. Trump’s new education boss just took over — and she’s already announcing a ‘historic final mission’

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