Linda McMahon, a longtime ally of Donald Trump, has been confirmed as the United States' next education secretary. The Senate approved her nomination with a narrow vote of 51-45. This confirmation comes as President Trump reportedly prepares to issue an executive order that could significantly reduce the operations of the Department of Education.
McMahon, a 76-year-old billionaire businesswoman, enters this role with limited educational experience. Her background includes a brief one-year tenure on Connecticut's state board of education and serving as a trustee at Sacred Heart University. Despite her lack of traditional experience in education policy or administration, she previously led the Small Business Administration during Trump's first term.
The Department of Education plays a crucial role in the nation's education system, distributing billions of dollars annually to K-12 schools. Federal funding constitutes approximately 14% of public school budgets nationwide. Moreover, the department oversees an extensive $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio. McMahon's appointment raises questions about the future direction of this vital agency, especially in light of her support for Trump's initiative to decentralize educational control.
"Return education to the states, where it belongs."
— Linda McMahon
Her leadership in the America First Policy Institute, a think tank aligned with Trump, underscores her commitment to this vision. The institute houses several nominees for senior-level positions within the Department of Education, reflecting a strategic alignment with McMahon's goals.
As McMahon takes on this new role, she faces the complex challenge of managing an agency that she may also be working to dismantle. This paradoxical task highlights the tension between maintaining federal oversight and promoting state autonomy in education.