Secretary of Education Linda McMahon News Tracker
Trump Signs Executive Order to Shut Down Department of Education, Sparking Controversy
In a dramatic move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education." This action follows McMahon's recent confirmation as the 13th U.S. Secretary of Education and her pledge to carry out Trump's vision of dismantling the federal agency.
McMahon, a former wrestling executive and Small Business Administration leader, has wasted no time in implementing sweeping changes. On March 11, she announced a massive reduction in force, cutting the department's workforce by 50%. This move has been met with significant controversy, with critics arguing that it effectively incapacitates key, statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The secretary's actions align with her stated goal of sending education "back to the states" and empowering parents to choose their children's education. In a message to department staff, McMahon described the agency's "final mission" as an overhaul to "restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great."
McMahon's approach has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates and Democratic lawmakers. They argue that her lack of experience in education and her agenda to privatize public schools make her unfit for the role. The National Education Association has voiced strong opposition, stating that McMahon's policies would defund and destroy public schools.
Despite the controversy, McMahon remains steadfast in her commitment to Trump's education agenda. She has outlined three key convictions guiding the department's work: asserting parents as primary decision-makers in their children's education, refocusing taxpayer-funded education on core subjects rather than "divisive DEI programs and gender ideology," and aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs.
The executive order signed by Trump allows for the redistribution of the department's core functions to other parts of the government. However, completely eliminating the agency would require an act of Congress, which faces significant hurdles given the current political landscape.
As the situation unfolds, legal challenges are mounting. A coalition of states has filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the Department of Education, arguing that the extreme staff reductions effectively nullify statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The coming months are likely to see intense debate and legal battles over the future of federal involvement in education. McMahon's tenure as Secretary of Education, while potentially short-lived, is set to have far-reaching implications for the American education system.
McMahon, a former wrestling executive and Small Business Administration leader, has wasted no time in implementing sweeping changes. On March 11, she announced a massive reduction in force, cutting the department's workforce by 50%. This move has been met with significant controversy, with critics arguing that it effectively incapacitates key, statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The secretary's actions align with her stated goal of sending education "back to the states" and empowering parents to choose their children's education. In a message to department staff, McMahon described the agency's "final mission" as an overhaul to "restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great."
McMahon's approach has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates and Democratic lawmakers. They argue that her lack of experience in education and her agenda to privatize public schools make her unfit for the role. The National Education Association has voiced strong opposition, stating that McMahon's policies would defund and destroy public schools.
Despite the controversy, McMahon remains steadfast in her commitment to Trump's education agenda. She has outlined three key convictions guiding the department's work: asserting parents as primary decision-makers in their children's education, refocusing taxpayer-funded education on core subjects rather than "divisive DEI programs and gender ideology," and aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs.
The executive order signed by Trump allows for the redistribution of the department's core functions to other parts of the government. However, completely eliminating the agency would require an act of Congress, which faces significant hurdles given the current political landscape.
As the situation unfolds, legal challenges are mounting. A coalition of states has filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the Department of Education, arguing that the extreme staff reductions effectively nullify statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The coming months are likely to see intense debate and legal battles over the future of federal involvement in education. McMahon's tenure as Secretary of Education, while potentially short-lived, is set to have far-reaching implications for the American education system.
- Broadcast on:
- 27 Mar 2025
In a dramatic move, President Donald Trump signed an executive order on March 20, 2025, directing Education Secretary Linda McMahon to "take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education." This action follows McMahon's recent confirmation as the 13th U.S. Secretary of Education and her pledge to carry out Trump's vision of dismantling the federal agency.
McMahon, a former wrestling executive and Small Business Administration leader, has wasted no time in implementing sweeping changes. On March 11, she announced a massive reduction in force, cutting the department's workforce by 50%. This move has been met with significant controversy, with critics arguing that it effectively incapacitates key, statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The secretary's actions align with her stated goal of sending education "back to the states" and empowering parents to choose their children's education. In a message to department staff, McMahon described the agency's "final mission" as an overhaul to "restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great."
McMahon's approach has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates and Democratic lawmakers. They argue that her lack of experience in education and her agenda to privatize public schools make her unfit for the role. The National Education Association has voiced strong opposition, stating that McMahon's policies would defund and destroy public schools.
Despite the controversy, McMahon remains steadfast in her commitment to Trump's education agenda. She has outlined three key convictions guiding the department's work: asserting parents as primary decision-makers in their children's education, refocusing taxpayer-funded education on core subjects rather than "divisive DEI programs and gender ideology," and aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs.
The executive order signed by Trump allows for the redistribution of the department's core functions to other parts of the government. However, completely eliminating the agency would require an act of Congress, which faces significant hurdles given the current political landscape.
As the situation unfolds, legal challenges are mounting. A coalition of states has filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the Department of Education, arguing that the extreme staff reductions effectively nullify statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The coming months are likely to see intense debate and legal battles over the future of federal involvement in education. McMahon's tenure as Secretary of Education, while potentially short-lived, is set to have far-reaching implications for the American education system.
McMahon, a former wrestling executive and Small Business Administration leader, has wasted no time in implementing sweeping changes. On March 11, she announced a massive reduction in force, cutting the department's workforce by 50%. This move has been met with significant controversy, with critics arguing that it effectively incapacitates key, statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The secretary's actions align with her stated goal of sending education "back to the states" and empowering parents to choose their children's education. In a message to department staff, McMahon described the agency's "final mission" as an overhaul to "restore the culture of liberty and excellence that made American education great."
McMahon's approach has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates and Democratic lawmakers. They argue that her lack of experience in education and her agenda to privatize public schools make her unfit for the role. The National Education Association has voiced strong opposition, stating that McMahon's policies would defund and destroy public schools.
Despite the controversy, McMahon remains steadfast in her commitment to Trump's education agenda. She has outlined three key convictions guiding the department's work: asserting parents as primary decision-makers in their children's education, refocusing taxpayer-funded education on core subjects rather than "divisive DEI programs and gender ideology," and aligning postsecondary education with workforce needs.
The executive order signed by Trump allows for the redistribution of the department's core functions to other parts of the government. However, completely eliminating the agency would require an act of Congress, which faces significant hurdles given the current political landscape.
As the situation unfolds, legal challenges are mounting. A coalition of states has filed a lawsuit against McMahon and the Department of Education, arguing that the extreme staff reductions effectively nullify statutorily-mandated functions of the department.
The coming months are likely to see intense debate and legal battles over the future of federal involvement in education. McMahon's tenure as Secretary of Education, while potentially short-lived, is set to have far-reaching implications for the American education system.