Senate Confirms Linda McMahon to Lead Education Department

McMahon, 76, is a longtime Trump ally and Republican fundraiser. Her education-related experience includes one year on the Connecticut Board of Education and serving as a trustee for Sacred Heart University. Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, defended the confirmation by saying education remains “mostly a state and local responsibility.”

The appointment drew sharp criticism from education groups and Democratic lawmakers. Senator Patty Murray called McMahon unqualified and said she was prepared to help Trump dismantle the department. Critics have also cited allegations about McMahon’s record as WWE chief; one campaigner described a “documented history of enabling sexual abuse of children and sweeping sexual violence under the rug.”

McMahon is expected to pursue the administration’s plans to shrink the department, challenge diversity, equity and inclusion programs and promote school vouchers, whose supporters call them “school choice.” American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten said her union disagrees with McMahon on publicly funded private-school vouchers, while expressing a willingness to work with her on public schools, career and technical education, and workforce development.

National Education Association President Becky Pringle warned that dismantling the department could weaken support for students with disabilities, access to higher education and civil-rights protections. Accountable.US executive director Tony Carrk said the confirmation made senators complicit in what he called a Trump-Project 2025 effort to abolish the department, putting billions in federal education funding at risk.