Secretary of Education Linda McMahon News Tracker
Linda McMahon's Nomination as Education Secretary Sparks Controversy over Trump Administration's Agenda
In recent days, the nomination of Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education has been a pivotal topic in U.S. education policy. On February 20, 2025, the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee voted to approve McMahon's nomination in a party-line vote of 12-11, with all Democrats opposing her. This approval sends her nomination to the full Senate for final consideration[1].
McMahon, a business mogul and former administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump, has been touted by Republicans as a strong leader who can "get our education system back on track." Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who chairs the committee, praised McMahon for her vision to empower parents and return educational powers to states and local communities, which he believes are better equipped to address students' needs[1].
However, McMahon's nomination has been met with significant opposition, particularly from the nation’s largest teachers’ union, which has called on senators to reject her nomination. The union argues that the Trump administration's agenda is "clear and dangerous" for education[1].
Meanwhile, the Department of Education, under the interim leadership, has been making significant policy changes. On February 14, 2025, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, issued a "Dear Colleague" letter outlining the department's interpretation of Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause. This letter clarifies that the department will begin enforcing its interpretation against race-based discrimination in educational institutions by February 28, 2025. The department has expanded its scope to include all institutions receiving financial assistance, not just those receiving federal funding. Institutions are advised to ensure their policies comply with existing civil rights law and to cease any efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race[2][5].
This new guidance is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in schools. The department has already taken steps to enforce the president’s social agenda, including rolling back protections for transgender students and seeking to eliminate any use of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices and in schools[1].
Additionally, the Trump administration has been reducing the size and scope of the Department of Education. Over 100 employees have been placed on administrative leave or terminated, and numerous contracts have been canceled. These actions are part of a larger effort to diminish the department's role, a goal that McMahon has been aligned with if she is confirmed as the Secretary of Education[1].
These developments highlight the contentious and transformative period the U.S. education system is undergoing, with significant implications for educational policies, funding, and the role of the federal government in education.
McMahon, a business mogul and former administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump, has been touted by Republicans as a strong leader who can "get our education system back on track." Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who chairs the committee, praised McMahon for her vision to empower parents and return educational powers to states and local communities, which he believes are better equipped to address students' needs[1].
However, McMahon's nomination has been met with significant opposition, particularly from the nation’s largest teachers’ union, which has called on senators to reject her nomination. The union argues that the Trump administration's agenda is "clear and dangerous" for education[1].
Meanwhile, the Department of Education, under the interim leadership, has been making significant policy changes. On February 14, 2025, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, issued a "Dear Colleague" letter outlining the department's interpretation of Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause. This letter clarifies that the department will begin enforcing its interpretation against race-based discrimination in educational institutions by February 28, 2025. The department has expanded its scope to include all institutions receiving financial assistance, not just those receiving federal funding. Institutions are advised to ensure their policies comply with existing civil rights law and to cease any efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race[2][5].
This new guidance is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in schools. The department has already taken steps to enforce the president’s social agenda, including rolling back protections for transgender students and seeking to eliminate any use of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices and in schools[1].
Additionally, the Trump administration has been reducing the size and scope of the Department of Education. Over 100 employees have been placed on administrative leave or terminated, and numerous contracts have been canceled. These actions are part of a larger effort to diminish the department's role, a goal that McMahon has been aligned with if she is confirmed as the Secretary of Education[1].
These developments highlight the contentious and transformative period the U.S. education system is undergoing, with significant implications for educational policies, funding, and the role of the federal government in education.
- Broadcast on:
- 27 Feb 2025
In recent days, the nomination of Linda McMahon as the Secretary of Education has been a pivotal topic in U.S. education policy. On February 20, 2025, the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee voted to approve McMahon's nomination in a party-line vote of 12-11, with all Democrats opposing her. This approval sends her nomination to the full Senate for final consideration[1].
McMahon, a business mogul and former administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump, has been touted by Republicans as a strong leader who can "get our education system back on track." Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who chairs the committee, praised McMahon for her vision to empower parents and return educational powers to states and local communities, which he believes are better equipped to address students' needs[1].
However, McMahon's nomination has been met with significant opposition, particularly from the nation’s largest teachers’ union, which has called on senators to reject her nomination. The union argues that the Trump administration's agenda is "clear and dangerous" for education[1].
Meanwhile, the Department of Education, under the interim leadership, has been making significant policy changes. On February 14, 2025, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, issued a "Dear Colleague" letter outlining the department's interpretation of Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause. This letter clarifies that the department will begin enforcing its interpretation against race-based discrimination in educational institutions by February 28, 2025. The department has expanded its scope to include all institutions receiving financial assistance, not just those receiving federal funding. Institutions are advised to ensure their policies comply with existing civil rights law and to cease any efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race[2][5].
This new guidance is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in schools. The department has already taken steps to enforce the president’s social agenda, including rolling back protections for transgender students and seeking to eliminate any use of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices and in schools[1].
Additionally, the Trump administration has been reducing the size and scope of the Department of Education. Over 100 employees have been placed on administrative leave or terminated, and numerous contracts have been canceled. These actions are part of a larger effort to diminish the department's role, a goal that McMahon has been aligned with if she is confirmed as the Secretary of Education[1].
These developments highlight the contentious and transformative period the U.S. education system is undergoing, with significant implications for educational policies, funding, and the role of the federal government in education.
McMahon, a business mogul and former administrator of the Small Business Administration under President Donald Trump, has been touted by Republicans as a strong leader who can "get our education system back on track." Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, who chairs the committee, praised McMahon for her vision to empower parents and return educational powers to states and local communities, which he believes are better equipped to address students' needs[1].
However, McMahon's nomination has been met with significant opposition, particularly from the nation’s largest teachers’ union, which has called on senators to reject her nomination. The union argues that the Trump administration's agenda is "clear and dangerous" for education[1].
Meanwhile, the Department of Education, under the interim leadership, has been making significant policy changes. On February 14, 2025, the Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Craig Trainor, issued a "Dear Colleague" letter outlining the department's interpretation of Title VI and the Equal Protection Clause. This letter clarifies that the department will begin enforcing its interpretation against race-based discrimination in educational institutions by February 28, 2025. The department has expanded its scope to include all institutions receiving financial assistance, not just those receiving federal funding. Institutions are advised to ensure their policies comply with existing civil rights law and to cease any efforts to circumvent prohibitions on the use of race[2][5].
This new guidance is part of a broader agenda by the Trump administration to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion practices in schools. The department has already taken steps to enforce the president’s social agenda, including rolling back protections for transgender students and seeking to eliminate any use of diversity, equity, and inclusion in its practices and in schools[1].
Additionally, the Trump administration has been reducing the size and scope of the Department of Education. Over 100 employees have been placed on administrative leave or terminated, and numerous contracts have been canceled. These actions are part of a larger effort to diminish the department's role, a goal that McMahon has been aligned with if she is confirmed as the Secretary of Education[1].
These developments highlight the contentious and transformative period the U.S. education system is undergoing, with significant implications for educational policies, funding, and the role of the federal government in education.