When President-elect Donald Trump selected Linda McMahon to be his nominee for secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, he praised her “deep understanding” of both education and business. However, like Trump’s previous nominee, Betsy DeVos, McMahon’s direct experience in the U.S. education system is relatively limited. She has not worked full-time in a K-12 school or university, and her career largely revolves around her role as an executive at World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).
McMahon has held a brief role on Connecticut’s state education board and has been a long-standing member of the board of trustees at Sacred Heart University, a private college in Connecticut. Initially, McMahon had aspirations of becoming a teacher, but she shifted paths after meeting her husband in college. Over a decade ago, she shared this personal story with a state legislative committee. Her background also includes leading a major federal agency: She served as the head of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term.
With Republicans in control of the U.S. Senate, which is responsible for confirming Cabinet appointments, McMahon is poised to take the helm of the Department of Education, setting policy for the nation’s schools. However, her appointment comes at a time when Trump has repeatedly expressed his desire to eliminate the department he appointed her to oversee. If he follows through on this, it could spark a political battle in Congress, where the power to abolish federal agencies resides. Recently, a Republican senator from South Dakota introduced a bill to restructure the Education Department by redistributing its functions across other federal agencies.
While McMahon did not address these ideas in her statement following her nomination, she expressed gratitude to Trump for the opportunity, vowing to work tirelessly to ensure that every student has access to quality education. Her statement, however, did not outline a broader vision for the department, leaving many questions unanswered.
Despite her limited experience in traditional education settings, McMahon’s previous work and public statements offer insight into her approach to key educational issues. As she prepares to take on this role, her actions and decisions will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of U.S. education policy under Trump’s second term.
Trump’s Education Vision: Federal Oversight Reduction
McMahon’s leadership at the America First Policy Institute, a Trump-aligned think tank, sheds light on her educational priorities. As chair of the board, McMahon has supported a policy agenda focused on reducing federal oversight of schools and cutting federal education funding. This stance aligns with Trump’s broader education philosophy, which seeks to empower state and local governments and reduce the role of the federal government in shaping educational policy.
